CN ships first train from expanded Illinois grain facility

CN and Total Grain Marketing shipped their first unit train from TGM’s expanded grain elevator in Lis, Illinois, on Sept. 16, marking the completion of the company’s largest infrastructure project to date.

The expansion replaces a 25-car track with a new 115-car loop and adds 3.1 million bushels of grain storage capacity. Three new truck dump pits allow the facility to receive up to 85,000 bushels per hour, while new shipping capacity enables unit trains to be loaded in as little as eight hours.

Canadian National Railway

“Lis represents the biggest project in the history of TGM,” said Ken Meinhart, grain division manager at Total Grain Marketing. “We appreciate the partnership and engagement with CN every step of the way through this project.”

The operational improvements will benefit TGM, its customers and CN’s end-to-end grain supply chain in the railroad’s Southern Region, according to Nicole James, vice president of transportation for CN’s Southern Region.

Canadian National Railway“We are proud to be working so closely with TGM in making this project a reality,” said Sandra Ellis, vice president of bulk, industrial and business development at CN. “We look forward to working with our long-term partner to create value for both TGM and its customers.”

CN continues to partner with customers on new projects that support long-term economic growth and strengthen North American supply chain competitiveness.