Canadian National maintains a fleet of business cars of different configurations. These are used for marketing tours, special board tours, and other company business. The fleet used to be painted in a blue and yellow paint scheme similar to the old VIA passenger cars. In 1997-98, most cars were painted in a green-black-and-gold scheme almost identical to the old CN passenger colours.

Sandford Fleming

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The Sandford Fleming (15050) is a called a track inspection car. Its rear glassed-in observation deck ("glass ass") with stepped seating inside is certainly unique on CN, probably in North America. Imagine sitting inside with cool drink in hand, watching the countryside go by...

In transit, Sandford Fleming carries a protective grille over the large window on the back. The three vertical bars shown in the first photo above are part of this — they help support the fine steel mesh. The grille is removed when the car is in use as seen in the second photo. The stepped seating is clearly visible in the third photo.

The first three photos were taken in Edmonton in late June, early July 1998. The second photo is of the AAR special train leaving the new VIA station on 1 July on its first leg to Vancouver. The fourth photo is of Sandford Fleming still in its blue and yellow paint on the tail of the Prime Minister's Unity Train 21 August 1996.

Sandford Fleming was built in 1949 as NYC 10333 "Sagus River". It was CN sleeper 2091 "Skeena River" before being converted to its present configuration in 1978.

Pacific Spirit

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Pacific Spirit (100) is the car assigned to the Chairman of the board. It is normally kept in Vancouver. It has an open observation deck on one end.

Pacific Spririt was built by National Steel Car in 1959. It was rebuilt and restored to its present configuration and given its present name in 1996.

These photos were taken in Edmonton in late June 1998.

Louis Jolliet

Louis Jolliet is an "official car", assigned to the President and usually kept in Montreal. It was built by National Steel Car in 1959.

The car was formerly named "96". In 1999, it was repainted in the old CN green and gold scheme and renamed to Louis Jolliet.

La Verendrye

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La Verendrye (15160) is a sleeper built by Pullman Standard in 1950. It started out as NKP 209 "City of Muncie" then was N&W 209 still "City of Muncie". It was acquired by CN and renamed "Riverfield" (2128), configured as a 10-6 sleeper.

For a while this car carried the full name "Pierre de la Verendrye", after the French explorer.

This photo was taken in Edmonton early July 1998 while the car was parked on the caboose track in Walker Yard.

David Thompson

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David Thompson (15161) was built in 1949 by Pullman Standard. It originally belonged to NYC and was called "Miami River" (10152). It was purchased by CN, configured as a 10-6 sleeper, and called "Mabou River" (2077).

These photos were taken in Edmonton late June, early July 1998. In the third photo note the steam line still installed.

Coureur des Bois

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Coureur des Bois was built in 1954 by National Steel Car. It started as a baggage car (9211), was converted to a baggage-dormitory car and then to a work car. It is now called a "company service car". It appears to contain a kitchen, perhaps.

The name comes from the French meaning literally "runner of the woods". This was the name given to early French settlers of Canada who travelled around by foot and by canoe, often living with the Indians, gathering furs for resale.

This photo was taken in Edmonton in late June 1998.

Tawaw

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Tawaw is a "reception-marketing" car. It may contain a dining or open meeting area.

Tawaw was built for CN by National Steel Car in 1954. It was originally named "Cape Chignecto" (1088) and transferred to VIA where it retained the same name and number.

This photo was taken in Edmonton in late June 1998.

Gatineau

Gatineau (94) was built in 1921 by Canadian Car and Foundary. It was a 12-1 sleeper called "New Westminister" (1546). It was renumbered 99 and called "Bonaventure" in 1967.

Gatineau is listed as an "official car", similar to 96.