The History of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad

The Grand Trunk Western Railroad was once a household name to many Michiganders. Their iconic red, white, and blue diesels streaked across the countryside and into the depths of industrialized urban centers. GTW played a crucial role in connecting the heart of America's auto industry and Michigan's fertile farmland and manufacturing centers with points in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The railroad's history goes back further than you might think, with deep roots in the development of Canada in the mid 1800s. However, GTW's presence is quite limited today, its identity since being amalgamated into parent company Canadian National. So, what happened to the Grand Trunk Western?

Music:
Sonic Unleashed - Empire City (Day)
Super Mario Odyssey - Steam Gardens
Mario Party - Wario's Battle Canyon
Super Mario Odyssey - Bonneton
Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Waddle Dee's Weapon Shop
A Hat in Time - Oh Its You
Super Mario Odyssey - New Donk City (Daytime)
Team Fortress 2 - Upgrade Station
Super Mario 3D World - Footlight Lane
Super Mario Galaxy - Purple Coins

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[asteroidrules]

And just like that you've alerted the entire population of Michigan and most of the population of Canada.

[TheWinnipegRailfan]

THE GRUNK
Would've been interesting if the GT won the bid for the Milwaukee Road back in the day. GT Pacific Extension would've went hard 🔥

[SPRailfan]

Grand Trunk’s paint scheme is so nice. I’m glad that at least a few locomotives still have the paint scheme and they even have a GTW Heritage Unit with the paint scheme. So I’m glad that remnants of the railroad still around. Great video by the way. ❤️👍🏻

[coastaku]

My town was started because of the Grand Trunk. Mt Brydges was named after both the highest point between London and Windsor, and the commissioner of the Grand Trunk at the time. However nowadays while VIA Rail does run through the town, it does not stop anymore, instead blasting past at 125km/h

[sparkythedetroitdoggo]

WOW ! Thank you for bringing back some of my childhood memories ! Grew up in Oxford and would race my bicycle down to the tracks just in time to see the train roll by ! So many great memories ! Building a n scale GTW railroad in the basement as we speak . Think it's time to go work on the railroad !

[RailsofMichigan]

I was born in 1990 and throughout my childhood I spent days upon days at the Durand Union Depot that place was like a second home and as a child I remember the Grand trunk good track road days. I remember watching red, white and blue locomotives come flying through there at high speeds with trains and I remember Durand being quite very busy in those days today. It's not the same as it was when I was a kid. Still you have some good days when it can be busy but if anything I miss the Grand trunk days and I wish I could. Relive them again

[nathancorcoran]

The Grand Trunk Western Railroad was pretty cool to see when they were still in business back then in the past, especially during the days of Steam Locomotives. And might’ve been a shame that the railroad became discontinued years ago. At least we have preserved stuff of this quaint railroad, with the unfortunate of Grand Trunk Western 5629. In my imaginational vision, it could’ve been displayed at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois if it was never scrapped in the first place. In fact I did manage to visit the Illinois Railway Museum back in October 7th and 8th 2023, I did get to see a few former Grand Trunk Western Railroad Equipment, like Grand Trunk Western 6323.

[ScarpawMutt]

5:32 It's so surreal seeing 5629, 5632, and a streamlined U4 all in the same photo.

[noxtorism]

I love that you put the name of the songs in order. Makes it easy to find

[Unknown_Bread]

Great vid, huge fan! Keep it up man!
Love the GTW!!!

[gingeronrails]

I've waited so long for this. Love spotting GTW 38-2's in Wisco, favorite catches ever

[RailfanLoy]

6325 Return to Steam covers the former Grand
Trunk Western 4-8-4 #6325's inaugural excursions for new owner Ohio Central. As an added bonus, you will see 2 separate break-in runs as the crew makes modifications and test the locomotive. Then it's the first public excursions in the fall of 2001, operating on the line between Columbus and Dennison. Multiple camera coverage documents the best action on these test runs, and first excursions, for this; the largest operating steam locomotive, east of the Mississippi River, in the United States.

[TweetsieRailroader]

Fantastic work as always, Jared! Enjoyed hearing about the history of a railroad from your neck of the woods. Never really gave the Grand Trunk much thought until your video, so all things considered, fantastic work!

[adrianoriley]

The GTW 4619 is here in Winnipeg and I've used it a lot in the yard. It's cool to finally hear the story of the GTW!

[brianbarker]

23? Wow, this is great. The future of the railfan hobby is in good hands.It's not just us old balding guys (my profile pic is about 15 yrs old btw).

[switchgeer]

Fun fact! The Muskegon car ferry was originally the Grand Haven car ferry! Part of the original GTW station still sits on the edge of the grand river, though it was gutted for commercial use. Other bits of GTW infrastructure can also still be seen, such as a coaling tower and the north station still passed by the MMRR

[nicktheturtlenerd]

One of my favorite locomotives is NPR 2288, an ex GT gp9, still sporting its original high hood. While not in any kind of GT livery, it still wears red white and blue paint, with its original road number and GT logo showing through the faded paint-over. Even if the GT never served South Dakota, (where this unit is currently serving) the line that this unit works on was once almost exclusively dominated by high hood EMD power in the days of the Milwaukee road and Dakota Southern. It may not be as important or powerful as the six axle sd7s or 9s that came before it, but it shows that vintage power can still be useful. (It’s also really funny to see it alongside modern locomotives, some of which being CN helpers on BNSF trains)

[cnnsrailfan]

Grand Trunk i grew up watching in South Bend. Amazed how much had changed. I still remember when they got the ex UP SD40-2s and had the red noodle on long hood and the mix of good and fouled M3 horns

[jimmypetrock]

What got me into your channel was your GTW video originally, this brings back so much nolstagia.

[Jleed]

I grew up near the GT line that originally went from Ashley, MI to Muskegon, MI. Reduced in millage to service mostly Gibson/Frigidaire in Greenville. Now only a remnant is left operated by a short line to Middleton, Mi