Canadian National Railway (CN) is a Canadian transportation company whose flowing red “CN” monogram has become one of the country’s most recognized corporate marks. The logo was designed by Canadian graphic designer Allan Robb Fleming and has remained in continuous use since its launch in 1960.
Design and History
Canadian National Railways was formed in 1919, and in its early years it simply adapted the existing Canadian Northern Railway logo, changing the word “Northern” to “National.” The company then used more traditionally styled logo designs from the mid-1920s through the mid-1950s.[1]
In the late 1950s, CN was modernizing its operations, replacing steam locomotives with diesel and upgrading equipment. However, a public attitude survey conducted by CN’s Public Relations Department found that Canadians still perceived the railway as old-fashioned and unchanged.[1][2] To address this gap between the company’s modern reality and its public image, CN hired American design consultant James Valkus, who in turn brought in Allan Fleming, then vice president and director of creative services at the Toronto typographic firm Cooper & Beatty Ltd.[1]
Fleming’s logo design for CN was commissioned in 1959 and launched in 1960.[3] Valkus and Fleming concluded that CN needed more than a new trademark; it required a complete overhaul of its visual identity, covering everything from locomotive paint schemes to building exteriors.[1][4] The redesign effort was a collaborative one, with Valkus, Fleming and other designers on the team contributing iterations. Archival sketches show Valkus writing to Fleming, “Allan, Make it thinner and we’ve got it!” near the final iteration.[1]
The new logo was approved by CN management in late 1960 and rolled out gradually, arriving in full force in early 1961.[1] It has been used continuously since then, surviving unchanged for over 60 years.[1][3]
Meaning and Symbolism
The CN logo joins the letters “C” and “N” into one continuous, flowing line. Fleming described the concept as “the movement of people, materials, and messages from one point to another. It’s a route line that incidentally spells CN.”[2][5] The design was intended to convey a progressive, dynamic and future-oriented company.[6]
The logo has been nicknamed “the noodle” and “the worm” over the years.[1][4] Fleming predicted its longevity in 1960, saying, “I think this symbol will last for 50 years at least. I don’t think it will need any revision, simply because it is designed with the future in mind. Its very simplicity guarantees its durability.”[1]
Typography and Design
The CN corporate colour is red, specified as Pantone 485. According to CN’s official brand guidelines, the logo should appear red on white, or white on red, whenever the application method permits. If red is not available, the logo may appear black on white, or white on black.[7]
CN’s current corporate visual identity guidelines also specify the typeface Averta for company communications, with licensing reserved for CN’s branding team and approved external suppliers.[8]
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