This series consists of records created by what initially was named the Department of Operations and Construction (early 1920s), and later became the Department of Construction, and then later the Engineering Department for Canadian National Railways. Within these various departments were the Offices of the Chief Engineer and Chief Architect. See lower level sub-series descriptions, including: 180385 : Records of the Chief Engineer, Construction Department - Gzowski papers In this sub-series, the material consists primarily of textual records compiled by Chief Engineer C.S. Gzowski. Interfiled with these textual records are numerous maps, architectural drawings, and photographs that relate to various construction projects. Office of Chief Engineer - Standard plans for Sidings and Yards Office of the Chief Engineer - Plans of special equipment and facilities Engineering Department, Atlantic Region, Moncton - Drawings Miscellaneous Architectural Plans Engineering Department, Prairie Region mechanical drawings Engineering Department - Drawings of bridges
Operation and Construction Department : For the first few decades from the creation of CN in 1919, most engineering records appear to have been created by the Civil Engineering section of the Operation and Construction Department. Under this section there were sub-sections responsible for bridge engineering, architecture, right of way matters and railway property, standards, electrical engineering, surveys, and signal engineering. There was also a Mechanical Engineering section, which was responsible for maintenance, motive power, and rolling stock. Other operations not involved with engineering per se were the Transportation Section and the Commisariat, which were responsible for passengers operations on board railway cars. From 1919 until about 1933, most engineering work was conducted out of the Construction Department (or Branch). This department had jurisdiction over the building of all new lines and any other construction work which may be specially assigned. More specifically, this covered reconnaissance, trial, and location surveys; as well as tracklaying, ballasting, erection of telegraph lines, establishment of water stations and building of other structures such as bridges. Responsible for the operations of the department were the Chief Engineer of Construction, General Manager, Regional Engineers, General Superintendent of Construction, Engineer of Construction, and various assistant engineers. After 1933, when most new railway line construction was stopped, the department was reduced to the chief engineer and a skeleton staff of assistant regional engineers. It also became a small section of a new and larger Natural Resources Department. Later, after the 1950s, there would be a separate Department of Engineering and a separate Department of Architecture.
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RG30M 78903/42
RG30M 945003
