Grand Trunk Corporation: Canadian National Railways in the United States, 1971-1992 [Hardcover]

Don L. Hofsommer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1995

The Detroit, Michigan-based Grand Trunk Corporation was established more than two decades ago by Canadian National to oversee and maximize the potential of its railroad holdings in the United States. By making use of corporate records, oral histories, and archival material, Hofsommer uncovers the interesting and complex history of Grand Trunk from its inception in 1971 through 1992.
 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Don L. Hofsommer is Professor of history at St. Cloud State University. He is the author of many books on railroad history.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 219 pages
• Publisher: Michigan State University Press (December 31, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087013406X
• ISBN-13: 978-0870134067
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,138,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars More Than Just Another Pretty Photo Book, March 26, 2011

By 

Evan T. McCausland (Motor City) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Grand Trunk Corporation: Canadian National Railways in the United States, 1971-1992 (Hardcover)

Few railroad books manage to combine amazing photography with an authoritative, in-depth history of the line itself. "Grand Trunk Corporation" is no exception to that rule -- but that doesn't mean GT fans should avoid picking this book up.

This isn't a full-color photo archive of the GTW's years of prosperity. Nor does it need to be, as other titles, namely I.E. Quastler's "Remembering The Grand Trunk Western" or Jerry A. Pinkepank's "Grand Trunk Western In Color, Vol.2: 1962-1982" provide just that.

What this is, however, is a detailed, well-written account of the line's turnaround in the late 1970s, packed with plenty of behind-the-scenes information on how a group of determined employees managed to revive and "Americanize" a division of a Canadian conglomerate. Hofsommer's piece is an extremely detailed account, based upon extensive research and interviews with those who helped turn the road from CN's trash to the cornerstone of CNNA's operations. And, although focused upon the 1971-1992 years, the book also provides a history on the Grand Trunk Western's preceding years that should prove more than adequate for most.

If you're tired of just staring at blue-and-red locos, this book packs enough meat to satisfy your hunger for information. At nearly $60 new, this idea may be prohibitively expensive, but consider adding this book, along with a couple of photo archives. Doing so allows GTW enthusiasts and historians alike to build a comprehensive written and visual history of the GTW on their own bookshelves.