First CPR Transcontinental Train Arrives in Vancouver

On June 3, 1886, Canadian Pacific Railway train No. 1 pulled into Vancouver after a journey from Montreal, marking the operational start of the nation's first transcontinental passenger service. This followed the driving of the last spike at Craigellachie in November 1885. The arrival symbolized the fulfillment of the promise that brought British Columbia into Confederation. Key figures included CPR president William Cornelius Van Horne, who oversaw construction through the Rockies. The 4-4-0 locomotives and wooden coaches faced engineering challenges like the challenging Selkirk Mountains grades. The event boosted western settlement, trade, and tourism, establishing Vancouver as a Pacific gateway. Lasting impact includes the CPR's role in unifying Canada and inspiring later transcontinental routes.