University of Alberta
Atlas of Alberta Railways: The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
Presented by the University of Alberta, this resource contains information on the founding and development of The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The site also provides primary source resources in the the form of photographs, excerpts,...
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Edmonton and Slave Lake Railway
This brief history recounts the construction in 1899 of the the Edmonton and Slave Lake Railway by a group of businessmen with an interest in exploiting the mineral deposits in the Athabasca Landing and Lesser Slave Lake area.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railway
The Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railway was incorporated in 1896 to provide a rail connection between two political and economic rivals, Strathcona in the south and Edmonton in the north. This is a brief history of its evolution.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Canadian Northern Railway Maps
This collection of maps details the railway system in Western Canada in 1916. Viewer can zoom in on the maps for added detail.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Canadian Northern Railway
This is a brief history of of the development the Canadian Northern Railway that was built in western Canada, and completed in 1915. The site also provides primary source resources in the the form of photographs, excerpts, figures and maps.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Coal Branch
The early railways depended on coal to fire their locomotives. Vast deposits of coal were located along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies. One of the richest mining areas on the main line of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway,...
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Crow's Nest Line
This is a history of the construction and significance of a railway through the Crowsnest Pass that connected a part of British Columbia that was cut off from the rest of Canada. Included are maps, photographs and primary source documents.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Calgary and Edmonton Railway
This history of The Calgary and Edmonton Railway is an account of the necessity to build branch lines in order for the Canadian Pacific Railway to develop its vast land holdings on the prairies. Included are maps, photographs and primary...
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Canadian Northern Western
This brief history describes the evolution of the Canadian Northern Western Railway. German entrepreneur, Martin Nordegg was unable to convince The Canadian Pacific or Grand Trunk Pacific to build a line so he turned to the Canadian...
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Galt Enterprises
This is a brief history that describes the establishment of the Alberta Railway by Alexander Tilloch Galt. It would be a means of moving coal from his companies coal properties to Medicine Hat. Included are maps, photographs and primary...
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Alberta Midland Railway
This brief history relates the construction in 1909 of what was to be an extensive network of lines, of which only two were built. An engineering challenge was faced during the construction due to a deeply incised, old glacial meltwater...
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: University of Alberta the Alberta Central Railway
This is a brief history of a railway that was envisioned to be a "trans-prairie " railway and was planned to serve the settlers in the Red Deer area. Included are maps, and primary source documents.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Canadian National Railways
This history of the Canadian National Railways (CNR) describes its formation in 1918 as the Government of Canada merged the assets of the Canadian Northern Railway with those of the Canadian Government Railway and later the Grand Trunk...
University of Alberta
The Canadian Pacific Railway in Western Canada: Rogers Pass
This resource offers a look at the difficulties of construction around Rogers' Pass
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: The Lacombe and North Western Railway
This is a brief history of a railway started by a group of businessmen and farmers that was to serve the agricultural area from Lancome to Rimbey. Included are maps and primary source documents.
University of Alberta
University of Alberta: World War I and the Consolidation of Rail Line in Canada
During World War l, 300 miles of rail and other track materials were taken in response by the British Government for rails to be used for military purposes in France. This brief account includes pictures and primary documents.
Curated OER
Photograph of the First Steam Locomotive Built in Canada
Trains played a large role in the history of Canada and its progress to Confederation in 1867. Take a look at the first trains and the important role they played in joining east to west in this website with photos and audio clips.