On the right track: A day in the life of a rail scheduler
At Cenovus Energy, we produce oil that is the foundation for everyday products that keep communities moving, like transportation fuels and asphalt for roads. There’s a complex transportation network in place to get these products to our customers in different markets, and rail is a key part of this system.
We often use pipelines to transport raw bitumen and crude oil to our processing facilities in Alberta, Ohio and Wisconsin or to other refiners. But we also have a rail terminal in Bruderheim, Alberta that helps us ship oil by rail to refineries during peak volume periods or to reach markets not available by pipe. The facility has proven to be incredibly useful in getting oil out of the province when pipeline availability was constrained in the past.
Once refined into various byproducts like jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, petcoke and petrochemicals, these commodities go on another journey to large industrial users, wholesalers or commodity purchasers across Canada, the U.S. and the world. That’s where rail, and our rail schedulers, also step into action. Rail transport can adapt quickly to changing market conditions and demand as the routes are not entirely fixed and rerouted to reach different destinations, as needed.
Because of this flexibility, the role of a rail scheduler is dynamic and multifaceted, requiring quick thinking, detailed planning and effective communication. Levi Van Der Molen, a Refined Products Scheduling Advisor based out of our offices in Columbus, Ohio, shares that no two days are the same. “It’s a big job keeping tabs on hundreds or, at peak times, thousands of railcars to ensure operations run smoothly,” says Levi. “This involves a lot of data evaluation and application navigation, making communication a central aspect of the role.”
Laine Laudenklos, a Logistics Advisor for Asphalt and Industrial Products from our Calgary office echoes this sentiment, highlighting the need for quick thinking, strong coordination and staying calm under pressure. “A typical day involves managing the rail car pipeline, scheduling and routing requirements and addressing urgent issues.”
Collaboration with operations and facilities on daily requirements, data entry and reporting are also key components of Laine’s responsibilities. “The best part of my job is that I get to create relationships with not just customers but all the internal stakeholders within Cenovus,” she shares. “I love working with all the various groups and understanding their roles and responsibilities. They all play such a vital role to my success as a scheduler constantly providing their support and expertise.”
The challenges faced by rail schedulers are layered. Levi points out that balancing the number of railcars at facilities is crucial. “Too many cars can disrupt operations and create bottlenecks, while too few can cause storage issues or operational delays,” he says. Circumstances such as unplanned outages, embargoes, rail strikes and weather challenges require additional contingency plans to minimize impact
Both Levi and Laine are passionate about their roles. Levi enjoys the fast-paced, real-time nature of the job and the opportunity to make tangible impact on operations. "I get to work with both internal and external stakeholders like marketers, traders, schedulers, accountants and advisors in systems support and railroads," he shares. Laine believes that "without logistics, the world stops," underscoring the importance of ensuring timely and efficient delivery of products.
In the future, both Laine and Levi expect the role of a rail scheduler to evolve with advancements in technology. Levi anticipates a more automated, data-driven position, while Laine foresees an increased demand for storage and infrastructure to support shifting industry needs.
Cenovus has been recognized for its excellence in rail operations, winning numerous awards. Most recently, we received CPKC and CN awards, highlighting our commitment to high safety standards. We’re proud of our rail solutions and experts, and we want to thank them for their commitment to safety and our customers.
LAST UPDATED: JUNE 2025