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Canadian National Railway

Canadian National Railway Company (CN) is a Canadian Class I freight railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Canadian National Railway Company (CN) is a Canadian Class I freight railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It operates the largest rail network in Canada and serves freight traffic across Canada and into the Midwestern and Southern United States. CN is a publicly traded company and was formerly a Canadian Crown corporation before privatization in 1995.

History

Canadian National Railways was created in 1919 by the Canadian government from several bankrupt or nationalized railways, including the Intercolonial, Canadian Northern, National Transcontinental, and Grand Trunk Pacific systems. The company remained a Crown corporation until privatization in 1995.

Network and operations

CN operates a transcontinental freight rail network across Canada and into the United States. Its system connects major Canadian markets and serves ports and industrial regions in North America.

Economic role

CN is a major freight carrier in Canada and plays an important role in moving bulk commodities, manufactured goods, and consumer products. Its annual freight traffic is valued at more than C$250 billion in goods transported.

Corporate structure

CN is a publicly traded company headquartered in Montreal. It is a Class I railroad and one of the largest rail freight operators in North America.

Key facts

  • CN is one of Canada’s two major freight rail companies, alongside Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
  • It is Canada’s largest railway by revenue and network size.
  • CN’s rail network spans Canada from the Atlantic coast in Nova Scotia to the Pacific coast in British Columbia.
  • The company also operates in the United States, including the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast corridor.
  • CN was created in 1919 from a group of nationalized railways and later privatized in 1995.
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Canadian context

CN is one of Canada’s most important freight railways and a major piece of national transportation infrastructure, with a transcontinental network linking Canadian ports, cities, and industries.

Frequently asked questions

What is Canadian National Railway?
Canadian National Railway Company, or CN, is a Canadian Class I freight railway that operates across Canada and into the United States.
When was CN founded?
CN was founded in 1919 as a government railway system.
Where is CN headquartered?
CN is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.
Is CN still owned by the government?
No. CN was privatized in 1995 and is now a publicly traded company.
Does CN operate outside Canada?
Yes. CN serves parts of the Midwestern and Southern United States, including corridors reaching the Gulf Coast.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_National_Railway
    Supports: Founding year, company type, headquarters, service area, network size, privatization, and status as a major Canadian freight railway.
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-national-railways
    Supports: History of the 1919 railway system, transcontinental role, and economic importance.
  3. CN — https://www.cn.ca/en/about-cn/
    Supports: Headquarters, approximate workforce, annual freight value, and network length.
  4. CN — https://www.cn.ca/en/delivering-responsibly/community/network-and-facts/
    Supports: Transcontinental network and service corridors.
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Canadian-National-Railway-Company
    Supports: Founding by the Canadian government, headquarters in Montreal, and transcontinental route description.