This view of U-3-b 4-8-4 No. 6309 was taken in Sarnia, Ontario, on April 15, 1948 after this class, built originally for the Grand Trunk Western, was supplanted by the GTW's U-3-b class. The heavy horizontal bar over No. 6309's trailing truck reveals that she has a "banjo frame," which divides behind the driving wheels to allow for greater clearance under the firebox. The first groups of CNR system 4-8-4s shared this feature with most earlier locomotives that had a four-wheel trailing truck. Later designs abandoned the arrangement because the frame was prone to cracking, especially at speed. For this reason the U-3-a class , unlike the GTW's U-3-bs, was restricted to freight service after the late 1930s. Nos. 6300-6311 continued in service on eastern Canadian National lines, and I recall seeing one of them in northwestern Vermont on the line connecting with the Central Vermont at East Alburg. This view, from the collection of Ed Emery of Toronto, was provided by Tom Rock of T.D.R. Productions. Whether Mr. Emery was the photographer is unknown. For this engine's dimensions, see No. 6302 previously.