CN has reached a track supply agreement with voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, with voestalpine to supply special trackwork to CN through its newly established Canadian subsidiary, voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak Canada, or vaRSN Canada.

Worker handling rail components in a voestalpine turnout production facility
A voestalpine Railway Systems turnout production image showing track infrastructure components. Photo: voestalpine Railway Systems

CN track supply agreement and special trackwork

The agreement is tied to a new vaRSN Canada manufacturing facility planned for Thorold, Ontario⁠. The site is expected to be operational in fall 2027 and is being supported by the province of Ontario.

According to voestalpine officials, the partnership reflects the two companies’ focus on strengthening Canadian railway infrastructure and using domestic production to support a more resilient supply chain.

vaRSN Canada facility in Ontario

JJ Dratva, CN vice president of procurement and supply management, said:

“[vaRSN Canada’s] investment in a dedicated Canadian manufacturing facility reflects our shared commitment to a more resilient and efficient rail supply chain.”

Workers assembling pre-assembled railway turnouts
Illustrative photo of workers assembling pre-assembled railway turnouts. Photo: voestalpine Railway Systems

The agreement concerns track infrastructure rather than rolling stock. Special trackwork is commonly used for turnouts that let trains move from one track to another, and can include specialized rail, crossings, hardware and ties. voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak also lists special trackwork, turnouts, frogs, crossings, switches and related components in its own product portfolio, with customers across Class I freight, passenger transit and industrial rail sectors in North America.