Canadian National Railway

:CN redirects here, as it's the most common usage of the abbreviation in Canada; for more uses, see CN (disambiguation).

Passenger trains

When CNR was first created, it inherited a large number of routes from its constituent railways, but eventually pieced its passenger network into one coherent network. For example, on December 3, 1920, CNR inaugurated the Continental Limited, which operated over four of its predecessors, as well as the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway. The 1920s saw growth in passenger travel, and CNR inaugurated several new routes and introduced new services, such as radio, on its trains.

Related Topics:
December 3 - 1920 - Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway - Radio

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The growth in passenger travel ended with the Great Depression, which lasted between 1929 and 1939, but picked up somewhat during World War II. By the end of World War II, many of CNR's passenger cars were old and worn down. Accidents at Dugald, Manitoba in 1947 and Canoe River, British Columbia in 1950, wherein extra passenger trains comprised of older equipment collided with transcontinental passenger trains comprised of somewhat newer equipment, demonstrated the dangers inherent in the older cars. In 1953, CNR ordered 359 lightweight passenger cars, allowing them to re-equip their major routes.

Related Topics:
Great Depression - 1929 - 1939 - World War II - Dugald, Manitoba - 1947 - Canoe River, British Columbia - 1950 - 1953

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On April 24, 1955, the same day that the CPR introduced its transcontinental train The Canadian, CNR introduced its own new transcontinental passenger train, the Super Continental, which used new streamlined rolling stock. However, the Super Continental was never considered to be as glamourous as the Canadian. For example, it did not include dome cars.

Related Topics:
April 24 - 1955 - The Canadian - Super Continental

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Rail passenger traffic in Canada declined significantly between World War II and 1960 due to automobiles and aeroplanes. In the 1960s, CN's privately-owned rival CPR reduced its passenger services significantly. However, the government-owned CN continued much of its passenger services and marketed new schemes, such as the "red, white and blue" fare structure, to bring passengers back to rail.

Related Topics:
1960 - Automobile - Aeroplane

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In 1968, CN introduced new high-speed train, the United Aircraft Turbo, which was powered by gas turbines instead of diesel engines. It made the trip between Toronto and Montreal in four hours, but was not entirely successful because it was somewhat uneconomical and not always reliable. The trainsets were retired in 1982 and later scrapped at Naporano Iron and Metal in New Jersey.

Related Topics:
1968 - United Aircraft - Turbo - Gas turbines - Diesel engines

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In 1976, CN created an entity called VIA as a separate operating unit for its passenger services. VIA evolved into a coordinated marketing effort with CP Rail for rail passenger services, and later into a separate Crown corporation responsible for inter-city passenger services in Canada. VIA Rail took over CN's passenger services on April 1, 1978. CN continued to operate its commuter rail services in Montreal until 1982, when the Montreal Urban Community Transit Commission (MUCTC) assumed responsibility for them.

Related Topics:
1976 - Crown corporation - VIA Rail - April 1 - 1978 - Commuter rail - 1982

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Since acquiring the Algoma Central Railway in 2001, CN has operated passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario. As well, CN operates the Agawa Canyon Tour excursion, an excursion that runs from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario north to the Agawa Canyon. The canyon tour train consists of up to 28 passenger cars and 2 dining cars, all made by Can-car between 1952 and 1954. A "Snow Train" tour is also offered during the fall and winter season.

Related Topics:
Algoma Central Railway - Sault Ste. Marie - Hearst, Ontario - Agawa Canyon - Passenger car - Dining car

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Since CN acquired BC Rail in 2004, it has operated a railbus service between Seton Portage and Lillooet, British Columbia.

Related Topics:
Railbus - Seton Portage - Lillooet, British Columbia

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