CD ROM Photo Series

BOOKS

The CN had four basic paint schemes for it's diesel power between the 1930s and 2003. Each disk concentrates on an individual paint scheme. While each scheme started at a finite time, the end did not. Many locomotives remained in earlier colours beyond the inception  of a new scheme and in some cases, of a second. When this happens the photos are still found on the disk for that paint scheme.

The first diesels delivered in the 1930s were switchers were black and had a rectangular Canadian National monogram on the cab, a variety of schemes followed. Including different monograms and the Morency orange panel on the hoods of S-2s and NW2s. The first road diesels came with a yellow/gold on green car body with a black under body.

1961 saw the first application of the now familiar CN monogram and the orange, black and grey colours. The road A & B units had 60º grey stripe running from the lower front up towards the back on both sides, the monogram was applied to the nose of the A units. Switchers and road switchers had a 120" grey monogram on sides.

Application of the third scheme began in 1972, road power utilized a grey 45º stripe on the black car body, ends and cab sides were painted orange. A reflective yellow stripe ran around the units at the frame edge. Most yard and switching power except rebuilt units did not have stripes.

1992 saw the introduction of a new name, CN North America (CNNA) and a modified monogram/logo and paint scheme. While the colours remained the application style changed. Although the single grey stripe that separated was retained the stylized North America map was dropped. Eventually the name returned to Canadian National and finally just CN.