The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, also referred to as PotashCorp was formed by the Government of Saskatchewan in the 1970's to effectively mine Potash and benefit the province as a whole. It has since become a publicly traded company. It is the largest  potash producer in the world. PotashCorp has expanded beyond both Saskatchewan and Potash and is now the third largest producer of nitrogen and phosphate. Currently, PotashCorp produces approximately 20% of the world supply of Potash with smaller amounts of other minerals and elements. 

It is by far the world's largest producer of potash, producing 20% of the world's supply. It is also the world's largest fertilizer producer, the third largest phosphate producer and the third largest nitrogen producer. PotashCorp is also the largest supplier and owner of Canpotex.

While much of the Potash that PotashCorp produces and sells is carried by Canpotex for export from their west coast ports, PotashCorp has their own rail operations as well. The primary port PotashCorp uses is Saint John, New Brunswick in Canada. PotashCorp also has shipping operations in the Great Lakes region and some Potash is delivered by barge on the Mississippi River. Additional Potash exports are made from ports down the Atlantic coast as far as Tampa Bay, Florida in the United States.

Check the video below for more on PotashCorp:

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan operates different types of cars. including the older 4550 cu. ft. 4 bay cylindrical hoppers, such as our own North American Railcar Corporation Hawker Siddeley hoppers. PotashCorp has been adding National Steel Car Potash Service 3 bay covered hoppers over the past few years to expand and replace aging equipment. While the 4550 cu. ft. 4 bay cylindrical hoppers previously made up the bulk of their cars, the newer NSC cars are now making up the bulk of the fleet with over 2,000 cars in service. Both car types are used together and separately in unit train operations. With over two thousand of the National Steel Car hoppers in service, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan has two versions of the car in service.

Though nearly identical outwardly to the Canpotex NSC Potash Service 3 Bay Hoppers, the PotashCorp Cars are slightly higher capacity at 4300 cu. ft. per car.

Prototype Spotting Features:

• Car length of 47 feet
• Car capacity of 4300 cu. ft. with flat gaps between the hopper bays
• 8 side panels and 12 running board supports
• 1000 Series cars have long sill
• 2000 Series cars have short sill

Modeling These Cars

North American Railcar Corporation will be producing two different PotashCorp 12 cars groups. One group of each version of the car PotachCorp currently operates, 1000 Series cars and 2000 Series cars. This will allow modelers to create a realistic looking consist of PotashCorp cars by ordering both versions of the car currently in service. PotashCorp cars are run in unit trains, but can also be seen in small cuts or individually on mixed freights or local switching operations.

1000 Series Cars - Light Salmon w/Long Sill Plate:

2000 Series Cars - Dark Salmon w/Short Sill Plate:

Check out the show flyer for this car below:

NSC Potash Service 3 Bay Covered Hopper Main Page

Canpotex Hopper Page

JMP