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Abstract

In 2006 there were 48 068 kilometres of railways, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. The two largest Class 1 carriers, Canadian National Railway Company (CN) which owns or leases 22 686 kilometres of railways and Canadian Pacific Rail Company (CPR) which owns or leases 12 812 kilometres. The regional and shortline railways combined, own or lease a total of 11 734 kilometres. Regional railways are mid-sized railroads that do not have a national presence. Shortline railways provide localized rail services and are usually partnered with larger railways. Mainlines are the principal artery of the railway system from which the collectors and primary feeders (branches), yards, and spurs are connected. Mainline tracks generally allow travel at higher speeds than branch lines and are usually maintained and built to a higher standard than yards and branch lines. Stations refer to either train stations (a terminal where trains load or unload passengers or goods) or railway junctions (where two or more railway lines cross).

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