Canadian Railway operator CN has partnered with US-based Norfolk Southern to offer a domestic rail service that would connect Canada with Kansas City and Atlanta, Georgia in the US.

Launching on 2 October, the service will utilise new intermodal steel wheel interchanges in Detroit and Chicago, operating like a single line. 

"CN is pleased to provide customers enhanced market access with the launch of another new Intermodal product,” said CN’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Tracy Robinson. “The reliable, cost-effective, and truck-competitive service will help our customers shift more business onto rail.”

The integrated rail interchanges also provide customers with the opportunity to optimize their cargo-loaded weights, said CN.

Transit time between Toronto and Atlanta would be between 3.3 and 3.7 days while moving cargo between Toronto and Kansas City is expected to take 3.6-3.8 days. Rail transport from Canada's western city of Calgary to Atlanta could take around 7.1 days.

"This new CN-Norfolk Southern Domestic Intermodal service combines premier intermodal choices for our shared customers,” said Norfolk Southern President and Chief Executive Officer Alan H. Shaw. “Designed with customer-centricity top of mind, it simplifies their processes, enabling smoother rail shipments between Canada, Kansas City, and Atlanta.”

Earlier this year, CN partnered with Union Pacific and Mexican Ferromex to offer a rail service connecting US-Canada and Mexico. The Falcon Premium Intermodal Service is said to benefit those customers requiring a fast option, including those shipping automotive parts, food, FAK (freight - all kinds), home appliances, and temperature-controlled products.

This cross-border product offers transit times of around 5 days between Detroit or Toronto and Monterrey, Mexico. Earlier this month, CN announced that improved efficiencies by Union Pacific had reduced transit times by one day.