Northern Railway of Canada
The Northern Railway of Canada was a historical Canadian railway located in the province of Ontario. It was eventually acquired by the Grand Trunk Railway, and is therefore a predecessor to the modern Canadian National Railway.
Early history
- In July 1849, the Toronto, Simcoe & Lake Huron Union Railroad is founded by Frederick Chase Capreol and Charles Albert Berczy
- The Railway Guarantee Act allows financing to be secured from the colonial government.
- Groundbreaking by Lady Elgin on 15 October 1851.
- November 1852 the railway was renamed the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Union Railroad.
- In August 1858, the OS&HUR becomes the Northern Railway Company of Canada following a government bailout.
Growth
Several subsidiary railways were subsequently incorporated into the Northern Railway, including:
- The Toronto, Simcoe & Muskoka Junction Railway, created in 1869 was absorbed in 1875.
- The North Grey Railway.
- The North Simcoe Railway, created in January 1878
Consolidation and acquisition by the GTR
- In June 1879, the Northern merged with the Hamilton and North-Western Railway, becoming the Northern and Northwestern Railway.
- Construction of a subsidiary, the Northern and Pacific Junction Railway, which ran between Gravenhurst and Nipissing, proves to be a significant financial burden.
- In 1887, the Grand Trunk Railway gains a controlling interest.
- Formal takeover by the GTR is formalised in January 1888.
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