#scotian

CNR train "Scotian" Westbound Approaching, Brookfield NS, August 1949. by Jon Archibald Via Flickr: CNR train "Scotian" westbound approaching camera, Brookfield NS, August 1949. 4-8-4 pulling. Note wig-wag crossing signal. Next image shows same train receding. Kodachrome - John McIntosh. It impresses me that CN had over 200 such 4-8-4's (the largest fleet in North America, maybe not as many as in the former USSR) and kept them maintained, fueled, and watered to run long journeys such as this one, 840 miles between the seaport of Halifax and Montreal. On this route there were three such full-service (sleepers, diners, baggage, express parcels and mail) trains a day, in each direction no less. CN employed at most over 100,000 people which was in 1953 as I read in an annual report from the time. It was government-owned and like the post office was seen as a service more than a profit-maker as it is now, privately owned. Right or wrong it was also seen as a source of employment for Canadians in good and bad times. CN also was a founding investor and principal shareholder in Trans-Canada Airlines, later Air Canada, until the eighties or so.

The Scotian in 1970 by Marty Bernard Via Flickr: CN Train 12, the Scotian, led by FPA4 6786 at Truro, NS on September 5, 1970. A Roger Puta Photograph