
The Canadian National Railway (CN) is a vital component of Canada’s transportation infrastructure. It has a rich history that reflects the country’s economic and social development. It was founded in the aftermath of World War I and emerged as a viable railway network after the government realised the need to have a cohesive national transport system.
Over the decades, the CN logo has undergone several changes. These reflect changes in corporate identity, modernisation, and branding strategy of the company. The evolution of the CN logo marks a transition from a traditional railway identity to a sleek and globally recognised brand. The article delves into the varied changes made to the CN logo over the years.
The Genesis of the Canadian National Railways Logo (1919 – 1923)
The first logo of the Canadian National Railways was a circular emblem that featured the slightly slanted words “Canadian National” in white capitals against a black background and executed using a serif typeface. The word “Canadian” and “National” were shown to be changing from big to small and vice versa, respectively.
The background colours inside the circular emblem were black and white of varying thickness. The circular emblem had an alternate black and white outline for greater visual acuity. This logo reflected the early days of CN as a state-run railway but lacked modern branding aesthetics.

(1923 – 1943)
In 1923, CN adopted a more simplified, rectangular design that replaced the earlier circular emblem with a straightforward and bold identity. It featured the words “Canadian” and “National” in bold uppercase white letters against a red background. The traditional rectangular design with a red and white border was now tilted at an angle to create a sense of movement and dynamism.
The first letters, “C” and “N,” appeared in a bigger size than the rest of the letters. Also, the two words had short lines in white underneath to underscore their importance. This design was easy to read and recognisable from a distance and made it suitable for locomotives, stations, and advertising.

(1943 – 1954)
In 1943, the logo featured a green maple leaf, the symbol of Canada, with black accents pitted against a rectangular black background. The abbreviation “CNR” in bold white capitals appeared at the top of the maple leaf. At the centre there was a small tilted wafer with a white outline having the slogan “Serves All Canada”.

(1954 – 1960)
The 1954 logo redesign saw the wafer’s tilt straightened on the red-coloured maple leaf. The slogan on the black wafer showed the words “Canadian,” “National,” and “Railways” in three levels and in a yellow colour scheme. Besides, each words with a capital “C,” “N,” and “R” were underlined in yellow.

(1960 – Present)
Arguably the most significant moment in CN’s branding history came in 1960, when the company unveiled its modern, minimalist logo. This was designed by world-renowned graphic designer Allan Fleming. It showed the iconic CN “worm” logo in a continuous, flowing line formed out of the letters C and N.
The absence of sharp edges and serifs gave it a futuristic appeal. The colour scheme was simplified to red or black letters against various backgrounds. The design symbolised motion, continuity, and progress, which makes it perfect for a modern transportation company.

The Elements of the Canadian National Railways Logo
Font
The current CN logo, designed by Allan Fleming in 1960, features a highly stylised sans-serif font that combines the letters “C” and “N” into a single flowing symbol. This design choice was intentional and aimed to create a modern and dynamic representation of the railway. The absence of the “R” for “Railways” allows the logo to be bilingual. So, it accommodated both English- and French-speaking audiences by reading “Canadien national” as well as “Canadian National.”.
The simplicity of the font contributes to its versatility and makes it suitable for various applications across CN’s services. These include rail transport, hotels, telecommunications, and ferry services. This minimalist approach has helped the logo maintain its relevance over decades.
Colour
The colour palette of the CN logo comprises red, black, and white. The red in the logo is identified as CN Red No. 10, which closely matches Pantone 200c. This vibrant red symbolises strength and energy and reflects the robust operations of the railway. The black elements in the logo provide a strong contrast against the red background to enhance visibility and recognition. Finally, white is often used as a background colour or for writing the wordmark in various applications. It contributes to a clean and professional appearance.
The History of Canadian National Railways
The roots of CN can be traced back to the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) and other railways that faced bankruptcy due to overexpansion and financial mismanagement. In response to these challenges, the Government of Canada took control of the CNoR in September 1918. This move was part of a broader strategy to stabilise the railway system during a time of economic uncertainty following the First World War.
On December 20, 1918, the Canadian National Railways was officially created through an Order in Council. Initially, it functioned without corporate powers and aimed to streamline operations and provide funds for various railway companies. By June 6, 1919, CN was incorporated as a federal crown corporation. Over the next few years, it absorbed several key railways, such as the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and the Grand Trunk Railway itself, by January 30, 1923. This consolidation made CN the largest railway system in Canada.
Throughout the 1920s and into the 1930s, CN played a crucial role in developing the northern regions of Canada and expanding its network across British Columbia and the Prairie provinces. The railway was instrumental in promoting settlement and economic growth in these areas. During this period, CN also provided transcontinental passenger services, which were vital for connecting distant communities.
However, like many industries, CN faced significant challenges during the Great Depression. Economic hardships led to decreased freight volumes and necessitated operational adjustments. The outbreak of World War II further complicated matters but also provided opportunities. This was due to the fact that the demand for transportation surged due to wartime production.
After World War II, CN struggled to adapt to changing transportation dynamics as automobiles and air travel gained popularity. In 1977, CN spun off its passenger services to Via Rail and focused exclusively on freight operations. This strategic shift allowed CN to streamline its operations and enhance efficiency.
On November 17, 1995, the Canadian government privatised CN and changed it from a crown corporation to a publicly traded company. This marked a significant change in how the railway operated and was managed. The privatisation enabled CN to pursue aggressive expansion strategies in the United States. It acquired several American railroads, such as Illinois Central Railroad and Wisconsin Central Transportation.
Today, the Canadian National Railway stands as the largest railway company in Canada by revenue and network size. It operates approximately 20,000 route miles (32,000 km) across Canada and into parts of the United States. As a public company with nearly 25,000 employees as of mid-2024, CN continues to play an important role in facilitating trade and transportation across North America.
Interesting Facts About Canadian National Railways
- CN is the largest railway in Canada that operates approximately 20,000 route miles (32,000 km) of track spanning from the Atlantic coast in Nova Scotia to the Pacific coast in British Columbia. It is also the only transcontinental railway network in North America.
- CN was originally a crown corporation owned by the Canadian government from its founding in 1919 until it was privatised on November 17, 1995. This allowed CN to operate as a public company and pursue expansion strategies in the United States.
- Following privatisation, CN expanded its operations significantly by acquiring several American railroads. These include the Illinois Central Railroad in 1998 for approximately US$2.4 billion, which extended its network to the Gulf of Mexico.
- CN plays a crucial role in the Canadian economy as it transports approximately $250 billion worth of goods annually.
- CN was a pioneer in adopting new technologies. It was one of the first railways in Canada to utilise diesel-electric locomotives during the 1920s. This innovation helped improve service efficiency and reduce operational costs.
- As of 2019, Bill Gates was the largest single shareholder of CN stock. He owned a 14.2% interest through his investment firm Cascade Investment and his foundation.
- The history of the railway can be traced back to over 200 separate companies. Its origins date back to the opening of Canada’s first public railway, the Champlain & St-Lawrence Railroad, in 1836.
- While CN initially operated passenger services, it spun off these operations to Via Rail in 1977. Thereafter, it focused solely on freight transportation.
- In recent years, CN has committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It plans to do so by investing in greener technologies and practices within its operations.
Finally
The logo of the Canadian National Railways (CN) reflects the company’s transformation from a government-run railway to a global transportation powerhouse. Each logo iteration over the past century has played a role in shaping the brand’s identity, with the 1960 Allan Fleming design standing out as a milestone in corporate branding. The CN logo remains a symbol of efficiency, innovation, and connectivity. It ensures that even in an era of digital and global transportation networks, its visual identity remains strong, recognisable, and timeless.