On Thursday, July 21, 1836, Canada-still a fledgling British colony 31 years short of confederation-joined the railway age with the opening of the Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad. It was the first step in the development of the far-flung rail network that now ties the vast expanses of Canada together.
The story of how the great Canadian railroads were founded and grew is a fascinating one. And in this handsome, heavily illustrated volume, that story is told with verve and accuracy. Starting with the earliest trains, The History of Canadian Railroads goes on to describe and illustrate the explosive growth of Canadian railways. The heroic story of the push westward is vividly described, as is the golden age of Canadian steam and its slow decline. Dieselization and changing times led to the death of some lines and the merging and consolidation of others-important but confusing events that are clearly described here.
Illustrated with over two hundred black-and white photographs-many of this continent's finest railway photographers and many never published before-and with sixteen pages in full color, this is a volume for all who love the romance of the rails.