Today, June 6, marks the 100th birthday of CN. Created out of several bankrupt or nearly bankrupt railroads in 1919, CN was joined by several more through to 1949 when CN absorbed the Newfoundland Railway.
There’s a great book about CN entitled “The People’s Railway: A History of the Canadian National” by Donald MacKay. I believe the book was commissioned by CN; however, MacKay had a free hand in writing it. The one big take away from the book (at least for me): CN was never the moribund failing government railway so many portrayed it to be. A book that is well worth reading…
And one of the best in financial condition - which is why it achieved the century mark.
How many other railroad companies can make the same claim? (even if we ignore any interim bankruptcies or mergers that might have led to a slight name change) CP, UP, maybe KCS? How many other companies of any kind? Maybe Ford and GE?
I read on the BBC website a few years back that Zildjian Cymbals has been in business as a family-held firm for over 400 years. Aside from making a superior product, it has been family policy that no family member can go into the family business until they have acquired several years of outside business experience.
In 1526 Maestro Bartolomeo Beretta, an Italian gunsmith, was given a contract to produce 185 matchlock musket barrels for the Arsenal of Venice. The Beretta firearms company dates it’s founding from that contract, and it’s still in the family, the Berettas control the company today. 493 years. Amazing.
Well, if we’re including universities the Italians have them beat, the University of Bologna was founded in 1088 AD, and is still operating today.
However, as far as continually operating universities are concerned the Moroccans have everyone beat! Their University of Karueein in Fez has been in business since 859 AD! Amazing! I wonder if their yearbook collection goes back that far?
Wood block printing precedes that date - so it is technically feasible that they could have done yearbooks, if the concept had been invented.
Would have been quite the production, though - all of the pictures would have had to be hand carved (along with the text). Moveable type didn’t come around until 1440.
Don’t forget that CN was owned by the Canadian taxpayer for many years, including years in which it had losses and people complained about inefficiencies and government funding of losses. Unfortunately the scapel used to trim the network was a blunt instrument due to lack of vision by governments and little regulation which often benefited the railway but not necessarily anyone else.
An excellent brief description of the formation of Canadian National appears on pages 6 to 11 of “Canadian National Steam Power” by A Clegg and R. Corley. This includes a diagram of the various corporate entities being merged and a full system map showing consituents (in a small scale, covering all of Canada…)
Hey there IS a Memphis on there! Congrats, next year.
A Moving Celebration!
To commemorate this very special milestone, we have a number of events planned to honour our rich railroading history and future. Starting in April, our CN100 themed containers will stop in cities across North America inviting CN’s extended family and the general public to join our celebration. Called “A Moving Celebration,” the tour will have something for everyone. There will be history to discover, shows to watch, music to listen to, local food to eat, and activities and workshops to participate in.
Hey, there’s be nothing wrong with a pair of FP9’s in the original classic CN green n’ gold scheme, but the thing is nothing beats steam as an attention getter. Ask Union Pacific.
No offense meant to the general public, but they couldn’t tell the difference between an FP9, an SD70, or an ES44AC for that matter.