First Canadian Railway Opens

On August 26, 1837, the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad inaugurated service between La Prairie and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in Quebec, marking the birth of rail transport in Canada. Horse-drawn cars initially operated on wooden rails plated with iron, later upgraded to steam locomotives like the imported British engine 'Dorchester'. This 16-mile line facilitated trade between Montreal and New York via Lake Champlain, overcoming engineering challenges such as swampy terrain with innovative trestle bridges. Key figures included promoter John Molson and engineer Thomas C. Keefer. Its success spurred further Canadian rail expansion, connecting to broader North American networks and boosting economic growth ahead of Confederation.