London and Port Stanley Railway
Encyclopedia
The London and Port Stanley Railway (L&PS or L&PSR) is a historic Canadian
railway located in southwestern Ontario
.
The L&PS linked the city of London
with Port Stanley
on the northern shore of Lake Erie
, a distance of approximately 25 miles (40.2 km).
The L&PS was one of the first railways to be built in Ontario, with construction starting in 1856. It provided connections between London, St. Thomas, Ontario
and Port Stanley. It was built primarily to facilitate trade with the United States
, particularly of wood and coal. As a result of its rail connection, a substantial investment was made in the port facilities of Port Stanley, which in turn attracted American and Canadian shipping. Until 1932, coal from Conneaut, Ohio
, was transported via railroad car ferries to Port Stanley.
The railroad also proved popular with local residents, particularly in the summer when many commuters utilized the system to travel to Port Stanley’s beach and resort facilities.
Originally, the railway operated steam locomotives, with the first passenger train arriving in 1856. However, in 1914, the line was electrified by the City of London (the owners of the line).
Passenger traffic suffered from the automobile in the 1950s. Passenger operations were suspended in February 1957, and Canadian National purchased the line in 1965 for some property elsewhere.
The portion of the line from London to St. Thomas is now part of the CN Talbot Subdivision, while the St. Thomas to Port Stanley portion is operated by the Port Stanley Terminal Rail
. Boxcab electric locomotive #L1, electric interurban #14 and the Port Stanley incline cars are preserved at the Elgin County Railway Museum
in St. Thomas.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
railway located in southwestern Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
The L&PS linked the city of London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
with Port Stanley
Port Stanley, Ontario
Port Stanley is a community in the Municipality of Central Elgin, Ontario, Elgin County, located on the north shore of Lake Erie at the mouth of Kettle Creek.-History:...
on the northern shore of Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
, a distance of approximately 25 miles (40.2 km).
The L&PS was one of the first railways to be built in Ontario, with construction starting in 1856. It provided connections between London, St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas is a city in southern , Ontario, Canada. It is the seat for Elgin County and gained its city charter on March 4, 1881.-History:...
and Port Stanley. It was built primarily to facilitate trade with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, particularly of wood and coal. As a result of its rail connection, a substantial investment was made in the port facilities of Port Stanley, which in turn attracted American and Canadian shipping. Until 1932, coal from Conneaut, Ohio
Conneaut, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,485 people, 5,038 households, and 3,410 families residing in the city. The population density was 473.4 people per square mile . There were 5,710 housing units at an average density of 216.5 per square mile...
, was transported via railroad car ferries to Port Stanley.
The railroad also proved popular with local residents, particularly in the summer when many commuters utilized the system to travel to Port Stanley’s beach and resort facilities.
Originally, the railway operated steam locomotives, with the first passenger train arriving in 1856. However, in 1914, the line was electrified by the City of London (the owners of the line).
Passenger traffic suffered from the automobile in the 1950s. Passenger operations were suspended in February 1957, and Canadian National purchased the line in 1965 for some property elsewhere.
The portion of the line from London to St. Thomas is now part of the CN Talbot Subdivision, while the St. Thomas to Port Stanley portion is operated by the Port Stanley Terminal Rail
Port Stanley Terminal Rail
The Port Stanley Terminal Rail is a heritage railway that passes over the historic tracks of The London and Port Stanley Railway between Port Stanley and St. Thomas, Ontario. The tourist trains began operating in 1983, after volunteers started maintaining the abandoned L&PS train...
. Boxcab electric locomotive #L1, electric interurban #14 and the Port Stanley incline cars are preserved at the Elgin County Railway Museum
Elgin County Railway Museum
The Elgin County Railway Museum is a rail transport museum in St. Thomas, Ontario. It is housed in the former Michigan Central Railroad locomotive shops that were part of more extensive servicing facilities on the Canada Southern Railway....
in St. Thomas.