Based on the aggregated intelligence of 125,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, railroad operator Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Canadian National's business, and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Canadian National facts

Headquarters (founded)

Montreal, Canada (1922)

Market Cap

$16.56 billion

Industry

Railroads

TTM Revenue

$6.9 billion

Management

President/CEO E. Hunter Harrison (since 2003)
CFO Claude Mongeau (since 2000)

Return on Equity (average, last three years)

20.6%

Dividend Yield

2.4%

Competitors

Canadian Pacific Railway (NYSE:CP),
Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP)

CAPS members bullish on CNI also bullish on:

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL),
General Electric (NYSE:GE)

CAPS members bearish on CNI also bearish on:

Burlington Northern (NYSE:BNI),
CSX (NYSE:CSX)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's), and Motley Fool CAPS. TTM = trailing 12 months.

Over on CAPS, 301 of the 308 All-star members who have rated Canadian National -- or 98% -- believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include hazelnut283 and TSIF, both of whom are ranked in the top 15% of our community.

Last week, hazelnut283 wrote that Canadian National "ships material not only all across Canada but clear across the US to New Orleans and even into Mexico ... With approximately 4,500 route miles, and a decent dividend, I'm sure [Canadian National] will ride out the recession far better than any company in the airline business."

In a pitch from earlier in the month, TSIF urged our community to stay on the Canadian National track:

Some hiccups the last two years, typical economy issues, but proven strong growth, best of tracks, routes, management. Trains beat trucks in cost per mile, diesel is down offsetting the economy. Goods/services will flow on these routes. If I've learned anything the last year...Canada is a HUGE player in materials to us and the far east.

What do you think about Canadian National, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. More than 125,000 investors are waiting to hear what you have to say. CAPS is 100% free, so simply click here to get started.