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[Anonymous]

Canadian Pacific hands down!

[heavyd]

I would have to agree with the one above. CP was the first real transcontinental railway. CN was formed by the government from other railways. CP had changed their name back to "Canadian Pacific Railway" where as CN like to link the US with theirs as "CN North America". CP does have alot of busness in the US but they seem to be retaining their "Canadian" heritage with the beaver but CN seems like it can't wait to drop Canada with all these rumors of moving their head quarters from Canada to Texas to be centralized when they start merging with mexican RR's. CN is a bigger railway than CP but it was a government railway so maybe money for improved service was easier to come by?

[Anonymous]

CN's a great railway and I don't have anything against them, but I think CP has to be it. It was our first transcontinental railway, which was heavily promoted by our first prime minister. Canadian National wasn't formed until the 20's when several Canadian roads were combined. Internationally, CP is probably more well known. The completion of the CPR was one of the most defining moments in the history of Canada.

[shiellb]

I think there is another side to this discussion. The other point I see is, which RR seems to represent the government; that would be CN. CP was/is a private RR not relying on the government for financial assistance (or have I missed a point of history?).

[BentnoseWillie]

CP relied on the sale of land granted by the federal government as construction progressed to pay off its construction debt. While it has been a private companhy from day one, CP has had its share of federal help.

While CN was a ward of the state into the 1990's, it's now as private as CP is, and though most CN shares are held in the USA, it's in no danger of losing its identity, given that we've already started to see IC power repainted in black and red with a small "IC" under the number, similar to GTW and DWP power.

I don't know where the idea that CN's headquarters is moving to Texas comes from, since they don't reach Texas, and are required by law to maintain the headquarters in Canada. Maybe you're thinking of the abortive CN-BNSF merger?

[Anonymous]

Canadian National-to qoute Trains magazine-World's Greatest

[heavyd]

All Canadian railfans should know what CP does at 11 am on Nov 11!!! What does CN do? Besides I read today that CN is trying to negotiate the contract with running trades to make the same crew work farther, therefore eliminating what they claim 35% of would-be excess conductors and engineers!!!

[Anonymous]

CP RAIL is the first end to end (transcontinental is to hard to spell)
railroadin canada and will be the greatest

[CP5415]

Canadian Pacific.
What is more Canadian than the Beaver as a mascot & the colours red & white in the livery?

Gordon

[BR60103]

CN is buying up American railroads. What could be less Canadian than that?

[BentnoseWillie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BR60103

CN is buying up American railroads. What could be less Canadian than that?

I guess CP isn't "Canadian" either, if that's your definition. CP's controlled the Soo Line for half a century, and the Delaware and Hudson for a decade.

Railroading has transcended borders ever since NP extended into Manitoba - before the CPR was built. I don't consider either to be a particular symbol of our nationhood.

[heavyd]

That is fine, but we all know to grow as a company in Canada you need to have interest in the US. My opinion CP has the SOO and D&H to be a better, stronger Canadian railroad! CN just seems to be more interested in US ventures. And they only have BC Rail now not to be more "Canadian" but more like so CP can't have it!

[BentnoseWillie]

QUOTE: My opinion CP has the SOO and D&H to be a better, stronger Canadian railroad!

How is it that CP's access to the eastern US (and indirectly, New York) makes it more "Canadian", while CN's access to the midwest and the Gulf Coast makes it "more interested in US ventures"?

If domestic coverage defines the "prevailing" railroad, then I could point out that CN serves eight provinces while CP serves only seven (Edit: and CN once served all ten, whereas CP only managed eight). If it's financial success, CN has the lowest operating ratio of any railroad in North America, and conversely the highest gross margin. Prior to the IC merger, they were #2, and IC was #1.

I don't think either measure really addresses the question. In fact, I think the question itself is misleading, because there is no "one, true Canadian railway" any more than there is one, true US railway.

Both CN and CP are healthy, Canadian companies that are publicly traded, and therefore have large numbers of US shareholders. Both have had great impact on the nation's development, are motivated by financial success, and do what they have to do to succeed - on both sides of the border.

Better to ask what will happen when each is inevitably merged into a US counterpart, and who will be the senior partner in those mergers.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

As an outsider looking in (I'm not Canadian), CP will always have the stronger image of Canada. As the World's Greatest Travel System, it carried the Maple Leaf to the rest of the world.
One of the land-grant subsidies that CP did receive led to one of Canada's longest running political debates. In return for land grants to fund and build the Crows Nest Pass line, CP accepted restrictions on grain rates that were later applied to other carriers and most Canadians are familiar with the rest of the story.

[Anonymous]

[:X][:X]CP All The Way CN Canadian Nuisence