Steve Mihell

Post retirement from CN, I used my railway experience to lead and participate in several projects related light and heavy rail as follows:

• 2014 - Conducted an assessment and developed/delivered training for Swing Bridge Operators, after operation of two moveable rail bridges was consolidated to a single location.
• 2015 - Developed Locomotive Operator training for High Speed Locomotive in SOCAL rail corridor.
• 2015 - Developed training for Control Room personnel at US Metro rail system
• 2016 - Developed training for Car Maintenance personnel at US Metro rail system.
• 2017 - Developed a training program for Maintenance personnel in LRT elevated guideway.
• 2017/2018 - Conducted training needs analysis for for Power, Car, IT, and Facilities Department at LRT facility.
• 2018 - Developed training for Interlocking Tower Operators at US Metro railway.
• 2019-2020 - Developed Locomotive Operator training manual guides for Egyptian rail.
• 2018-2024 - Developed an SMS, conducted a needs assessment and subsequently developed CROR training courses for Conductors and Engineman at local industry so as to comply with regulatory standards when applying for a railroad license.

• Responsible for: Development, design, modernization and maintenance of Operating Practices training material and curriculum
• Development and successful implementation of changes and additions to Rule Policy on CN System
• Delivery of regulatory training (through classroom, field and simulated environments) for new hire and re-certification of employees across CN System (CN Lines) as follows: Initial (new hire RTC) training consisted of 6 week classroom training covering Canadian Railway Operating Rules (CROR) and CN RTC procedures, This was followed by 6 weeks of simulation on Siemens RTCII consoles, and proprietary CN traffic management equipment - (class size 6-8 persons)
• Conducting and/or participating in Rule and Safety Audits, including post-audit follow-up, at Rail Traffic Control Centers, and in yards and terminals across the system - these audits designed to ensure rule and rule policy compliance, and are instrumental to successfully reducing accidents and incidents
• Training delivery of CROR for recertification of RTC's and Engineering employees. Recertification classes were usually 1 week in duration. Class size varied from 6 to 20 employees. All instruction included classroom and field studies
• Conduct daily/weekly PMRC (Performance Monitoring for Rules Compliance) employee assessment and input into dashboard system.
• Responsible for timely input and submission of departmental Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable to SAP System.

• Working with CN Network Executive, part of the team responsible for implementation, coaching and oversight of Precision Railroad operations on the CN Network, ensuring train plan compliance and drive toward on-time train performance
• During this time, achieved positive results in the areas of locomotive fleet sizing and utilization, network train speeds, car velocity and improved terminal dwell times, resulting in improved operating efficiencies and bottom-line growth.

Responsibilities within this role are listed below:

• Working with the various regions in Canada and U.S, responsible for oversight of precision railroad operations on the CN Network, network fluidity, motive power availability, exception management and service disruption management. Daily interface with senior management and network executive regarding same.
• Oversight of motive power assets across the CN Network, both Canada and US properties.
• Interface with Rail Traffic Control Centers regarding Crew and other issues.

• Using metrics and internal planning systems, develop and utilize methodologies for strategic distribution of Locomotive assets from Canada and within US territories.
• Manage and direct interline power flows to other railroads, in order to minimize usage of non-CN assets and control associated costs.
• Drive to improve locomotive cycle times and reduce dwell times on various rail corridors across system.
• This position rotated between Network Operations in Edmonton AB, and the Regional Operations Center in Chicago Il.

• Manage and direct locomotive fleet sizing across CN System (Canada and U.S.) Manage and administrate 3rd party locomotive lease agreements.
• Management and oversight of End of Train (EOT/SBU) device inventory distribution and allocation across CN/IC/GTW System.
• Daily communication with stakeholders at other railroads regarding recovery of horsepower hour and end of train device costs.

• Using proprietary software, assess viability of operating oversize / overweight loads on CN System
• Establish optimum routing to maximize revenue
• Determine appropriate car type depending on dimensions of load, special train needs etc.
• Generate handling message including any special instructions for crews handling the loads in-train.

• Responsible for day-to-day administrative support of Network Operations.
• Updates and adjustments to train schedules, daily reports etc.
• Manage and oversee of the movement of bulk trains (coal, potash, grain, sulphur), to ensure pipeline integrity and asset availability.
• Service Disruption Management – Assist General Superintendents Transportation and Network Executive by collating and providing data (train journals, dangerous commodity information, track profile, test car data etc.) relating to derailments and other service disruptions.
• Regular interface with internal/external stakeholders and customers, Canutec, Transport Canada, Transportation Safety Board (TSB) regarding service disruptions and dangerous commodity incidents.

• Real-time management and distribution of locomotive assets across the CN Network.
• Management of failures/recovery plans, and ensure proper horsepower allotment to control costs and properly utilize the asset.
• Assign locomotives to trains at terminals ensuring minimal dwell and motive power related delay.
• Perform continual analysis and forecasting of motive power fleet to ensure sufficient locomotives available to meet the needs of the current service plan.

• (1987-1999) Coordinated train/marine movement over Second Narrows Bridge and signalled Lynn Creek yard in North Vancouver ensuring timely flow of rail traffic in and out of Vancouver North Shore.
• (1982-1987) Relief Rail Traffic Controller on all RTC desks in Kamloops, BC.
• Managed rail traffic and engineering crews on assigned territories between Jasper AB and Vancouver BC.
• (1977-1982) Performed agent/operator duties at various railroad stations (agencies) in Sask., Alberta and B.C. Duties involved handling freight car and express orders, selling passenger tickets, agency accounting, train orders, clearances etc.