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CN recently purchased 200 EcoTherm containers to help reduce energy consumption in its fast-growing temperature-sensitive intermodal markets for products such as food, beverages, paints and pharmaceuticals. The Class I’s EcoTherm fleet now stands at about 500 units, the largest in North America, CN officials said in a prepared statement.

A super-insulated 40-foot EcoTherm container can accommodate the same volume of product as a 40-foot insulated container without the need for blocking and bracing required in a 53-foot container, they said. The container is designed to retain the proper temperature for sensitive goods throughout a rail trip as long as 10 days without the need for an engine to burn fuel en route.

CN also purchased 25 EcoRide chassis, which weigh 15 percent less than conventional chassis and feature side skirts and low-rolling resistance tires. Containers carried on EcoRide chassis consume eight to 11 percent less fuel than containers transported on traditional chassis, CN officials said.

“EcoTherm and EcoRide are innovative technological advances that help CN reduce the energy intensity of its customers' supply chains and position us to grow our business,” said Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer.