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Canadian National Railways
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
Spelling variants:Canadian National Railway, C.N.R., CNR, CN Rail
n. — Transportation
the largest rail network in Canada, spanning over 30,000 km of track in Canada and the US.
Type: 1. Origin — The Canadian National Railways was incorporated 6 June 1919. It originally comprised five railways that had been in financial trouble between 1917 and 1923 and subsequently nationalized by the Canadian government. The company expanded its holdings to include marine cargo transport, hotels, telecommunications and resource industries, but its core is still the rail system, which focuses on freight rather than passenger service. CN was a Crown corporation essential for the development of the country until its privatization in November 1995 (see the Canadian Encyclopedia reference).
Between 1923 and 1932, a cross-Canada radio network was developed to provide passengers with on-board entertainment and to give the CNR a competitive edge over its rival, the Canadian Pacific Railway. Eventually this radio network was sold to the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, which would eventually become the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Canadian National Railways was also the name of the public company that held the rail system and other assets until 1960 when the company name changed to Canadian National (CN).
Between 1923 and 1932, a cross-Canada radio network was developed to provide passengers with on-board entertainment and to give the CNR a competitive edge over its rival, the Canadian Pacific Railway. Eventually this radio network was sold to the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, which would eventually become the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Canadian National Railways was also the name of the public company that held the rail system and other assets until 1960 when the company name changed to Canadian National (CN).
See: Crown company,Canadian Pacific Railway,CNR,Canadian Broadcasting Corporation,Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
The original full name of Canadian National Railways was first abbreviated as C.N.R. (see the 1912, 1918, 1931, 1941 quotations), then replaced with the short form CNR (see the 1945 quotation).
To help differentiate the railway from its holding company (Canadian National or CN), it may be referred to as CN Rail.
Quotations
1912
The C.N.R. steel arrived in Edmonton in 1906, and the day the last rail was laid the property went for 24,000 dollars.
1918
Contending that the C.N.R. was in a vastly superior position to the C.P.R. and other railways in regard to its opportunities for business during the first few years in which they had reached the Pacific Coast, W.H. Coverdale, the New York railway expert, continuing his evidence in the C.N.R. arbitration at Osgoode Hall yesterday afternoon declared that [. . . ] the C.N.R. had splendid prospects.
1931
. . . visiting at North Bay . . . besides visiting the "line" posts on the C.N.R., belonging to Superior-Huron district.
1941
The tour he leads is sponsored by the magazine Photography and the C.N.R., with various travel bureaus lending a hand. Members of the party will compete for prizes in camera work.
1945
Tonight the No. 4 Transcontinental CNR paused briefly in its race eastward at Winnipeg, the "Gateway to the West." This, of course, is getting pretty far east for any true Albertan.
1957
A large proportion of the twelve hundred rooms in the CNR's new Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal will be furnished as office bedrooms, with hide-away bed-chesterfields.
1958
George A. Mallet . . . is one of two octogenarians taking part in the CNR's annual "Bluenose Special" excursion from the west to the maritimes this year.
1961
For Your Convenience . . . The CN Rail Travel Service Office, at the northwest corner of King and Yonge Streets, is open Thursday nights until 9:00; Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1964
Police said Mrs. Baker . . . saw her mother trip at a level rail crossing, went back to help her and was struck by a CNR freight.
1970
Alderman authorized to open negotiations for CNR Belt Line -- He said he is optimistic that the city can obtain the 2.8-mile belt line for a nominal fee.
1977
A CNR spokesman said westbound passengers left nearby Wainwright by bus and arrived in Edmonton about noon.
1978
Exactly 89.385 acres are owned by Canadian National Railways, Canadian Pacific Railway and Toronto Terminal Railway Co., jointly owned by the CNR and CPR.
1991
In any case, my mother has arranged Jasper, and I was in an old CNR colonist car headed west. The colonist car was made out of a lot of plank and very little plush.
1999
"Two officers and 43 other ranks found Vancouver just as they'd remembered it when they hefted their battered kits from a CNR train this morning after being overseas with the Canadian Army for many months."
2006
Roads were impassable, so a doctor from Melville asked CN Rail for help. The railway put the doctor on an open rail-repair car called a jigger for a freezing ride to the farm.
References
- Canadian Encyclopedia • ""Canadian National Railway"
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