Great Northern's first China pattern was called Montana and consisted of the words Great Northern Railway on the rim. This pattern was used from the inception in 1890.

Soon in the mid 1890's two other patterns appeared, Hill and Manitoba.

Great Northern's next china pattern was called EMPIRE and was a stock pattern meaning it was designed by the manufacturer and not used exclusively by Great Northern. Dates for this pattern appear to be from the 1909 re-equipping until 1923. The back or bottom of the china pieces were marked or 'backstamped' Great Northern.

Empire Bowl

Empire Bread and Butter Plate

GLACIER was Great Northern's next china pattern. Purchase dates for this pattern appear to be from the newly re-equipping Oriental Limited in 1924 until 1929. They probably continued to be used after 1929 but not on the Builder. Some examples only displayed the black and tan rings on the border without the center floral design. The china pieces were also backstamped Great Northern.

ORIENTAL was an 'exclusive use' pattern created for Great Northern's Dates for this pattern appear to be from the new Empire Builder in 1929 until 1939. And again between the china pieces were also back-stamped Great Northern. As least some of orders this pattern were hand painted. The pattern was produced again 1948-59 with tan rather than white and had weaker colors. Perhaps for service on the Oriental Limited/Western Star.

Examples of the Oriental Pattern

Example of later tan pattern purchased in the 1948-59 period.

GLORY OF THE WEST was Great Northern's china pattern from 1940 until the late fifties. The pattern was manufactured by Syracuse China whose catalog and advertising referred to this as the Glacier National Park pattern. The china pieces were also backstamped Great Northern.

MOUNTAINS AND FLOWERS was Great Northern's last china pattern. Dates for this pattern appear to be from the late fifties until the end of service. The china pieces were also backstamped Great Northern.

ROCKY was Great Northern's Children's china pattern. This pattern was produced from the teens until the sixties. The china pieces were also backstamped Great Northern.

TERRACE GARDENS was china pattern used on business cars. It was very lightweight and delicate.