First Train on Canadian Pacific Railway's Western Section

On August 26, 1883, the Canadian Pacific Railway operated its inaugural through passenger train over the newly completed western section from Winnipeg toward the Rockies. This milestone came amid fierce construction under William Cornelius Van Horne, overcoming rugged terrain, avalanches, and labor shortages with Chinese and European workers. The line used powerful 4-4-0 locomotives and symbolized national unity after Confederation. It spurred settlement in the prairies and resource extraction, forever altering Canada's economic geography and connecting Atlantic to Pacific ports.