Shoebox #4, Grand Trunk Western 5046

Grand Trunk Western 5046. Location unknown, October 1960. I found yet another gem in that shoebox full of photos I purchased from a bookstore at the Pike Place Market in Seattle years ago.

The Grand Trunk Railway has a long and colorful history. Generally known to most rail fans as being the US operations of the Canadian National, Grand Trunk Western has always shared equipment, color schemes and corporate logos with parent company Canadian National.

It followed CN's herald styles with its own name on the previous "tilted shield" and "Maple Leaf" logos. In 1960, GTW had its own initials incorporated into the "wet noodle" logo.

In 1971 GTW broke tradition and began receiving its new locomotives in its now famous bright blue, red/orange and grey scheme. At the same time the railroad would also adopt its company slogan; The Good Track Road.

CN’s subsidiary Grand Trunk Corporation now controls almost all of CN's U.S. operations which include Grand Trunk Western, Illinois Central, Wisconsin Central, Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific and Great Lakes Transportation, GLT, which includes the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad, B&LE and the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway, DMIR.

The Association of American Railroads has considered the Grand Trunk Corporation as a single Class I railroad since 2002.

Railroad Stuff: Grand Trunk Western 5046, 4-6-2, road class J-3-a, Baldwin Locomotive Works 1912.