Confederation locomotive

Most were built by the Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) in Montreal, Quebec, and the Canadian Locomotive Company (CLC) in Kingston, Ontario, for the Canadian National Railway (CNR).

They were built from 1927 until 1943 and 1944 during World War 2 against the Axis when Canada had to provide the UK with metal for the Allied Forces of World War II against the Axis Forces .

CN 6400 used roller-bearing boxes on all running and tender axles, with bearings made by SKF of Sweden.

In addition, the Canadian Pacific Railway built its own K1a 4-8-4 locomotives in 1928 at their own Angus Shops.

The character Vinnie (voiced by John Schwab) from the popular series Thomas and Friends is based on a Canadian National U-4-a, using the number of a GTW U-4-b.