Metrolinx, the public transportation agency in Ontario, has been constructing the East Harbour Transit Hub in eastern Toronto. While removing a rail bridge over Eastern Avenue, they discovered a historic steel girder bearing the phrase “Canadian National Railways: Courtesy and Service”.
You may be familiar with that slogan from the Canadian National Railways. We have an article about it here.
It debuted in 1924 and was featured in passenger timetables, travel brochures, and internal documentation.
Most visible to the public, perhaps, were the slogans painted on CNR bridges across Canada. Several examples persist today but most have disappeared over time.
Metrolinx extracted the huge steel girder and kept it on site. They have since transferred it to the City of Toronto, who intends to incorporate the girder in the Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan as a public display.
We thank Metrolinx for making the effort to preserve this historic example of the CNR’s influence in building the city of Toronto and the area, and for providing permission to use their image.
Read Metrolinx’ article on the “Courtesy and Service” girder