To replace light 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 locomotives on branch lines, the Grand Trunk put 25 locomotives of the class E-8 into service in 1910. They were built by the Canadian Locomotive Co. and compared to the E-7 they still had 63 inch drivers, but were lighter. In 1913, 24 were superheated, got cylinders with a diameter of 21 instead of 19 inches and were now designated class E-12.

In 1923 they became class E-10-a of the Canadian National and were retired between 1930 and 1960. The locomotive shown on the photo is No. 89 that was originally numbered 1009. After its retirement it came to collector F. Nelson Blount in 1961 and was refurbished. It came to the Strasburg Railroad in 1972 and is in regular service until today. Meanwhile, it had been completely rebuilt to its former Canadian National appearance in the eighties.