CN Rail purchase will bring jobs to Hamilton’s National Steel Car

A Hamilton manufacturer says an impending purchase from CN Rail will mean jobs.

CN says it plans to buy 350 lumber cars to meet increasing demand for forest products.

The cars will be manufactured by National Steel Car.

“National Steel Car has been building new freight cars for CN since 1919 and we are honoured to have the opportunity to continue to support CN and the customers they serve,” said Gregory J. Aziz, chairman and CEO of National Steel Car Limited.

The company says the purchase will mean hiring more than 250 employees at its Hamilton assembly plant.

The plant currently employees around 1,500 people.

Deliveries are expected to begin in September.

“CN’s investment in new cars to be built at National Steel Car’s Hamilton plant is huge for the city,” said Bob Bratina, MP for Hamilton East – Stoney Creek.

CN says it is also looking at an option to purchase or lease an additional 300 cars.