Question on GT

[northwesterner]

This morning, I saw a GT engine switching hopper cars near the Buffalo Grove, IL Metra station on the former Wisconsin Central (now Canadian National) line. I checked the Canadian National merger tree, which indicated that GT has been part of CN since 1928. Does CN still maintain separate GT facilities and locomotive rosters in 2005? Thanks in advance.

[coborn35]

The corporate name "Grand Trunk" remains in use by CNR (CN after 1960) to this day. CN operated the GTWR (or GTW) as its primary U.S. subsidiary until privatization of CN in 1995. The GTW has been transformed into the modern-day holding company "Grand Trunk Corporation" under which CN has placed the assets of major U.S. post-privatization purchases, namely Illinois Central, Wisconsin Central, and Great Lakes Transportation.
I believe that the GT is just a name for a pooling of companies. The GT does not have any engine shops but a few locomotives are still in GT paint.
Hope this helps.

[northwesterner]

Thanks for the info - greatly appreciated!

[Wdlgln005]

The Grand Trunk Western used to have a car shop in Port Huron, MI Their newest yard was at Battle Creek, built in the 60's. Their Chicago Elsdon yard closed a long time ago, with most movements going thru the BRC Clearing yard. In the merger with IC, I suspect their facilities closed & moved to IC's Markham Yard. CN may have other shops in other locations to handle other engine rebuilds.

You may see GT unit sublettered in a CN scheme. Get photos of the blue GT while you can.

[espeefoamer]

I saw an engine from another of CNs subsidiaries,Duluth,Winnipeg,&Pacific a few months ago.It was blue with a red cab & short nose,like GT.I had heard that GT and the other subsidiaries were folded into CN several years ago.

[coborn35]

Its true, they all became part of CN North America.

[coborn35]

By the way, the CN NA paint scheme badly failed!!

[jchnhtfd]

Strictly speaking, GT and GTW were different divisions of CN -- but GTW got most of the notice (GT included some US lines east and south of Montreal). Both were corporate ways of handling the problems of operating in both Canada and the US.

coborn's quite right about the current status of GT.

[northwesterner]

It was strictly (I recall) a GT unit, blue/turquoise in color. I did get a photo of it. I'll try posting when I get it processed.