The London and Port Stanley Railway (L&PS or L&PSR) was a Canadian railway located in southwestern Ontario. It linked the city of London with Port Stanley on the northern shore of Lake Erie, a distance of approximately 25 miles (40 km).[2]
History
The L&PS was one of the first railways to be built in Ontario, with construction starting in 1853. It provided connections between London, St. Thomas and Port Stanley. It was built primarily to facilitate trade with the United States, particularly of wood and coal. As a result of its rail connection, a substantial investment was made in the port facilities of Port Stanley, which in turn attracted American and Canadian shipping. Until 1932, coal from Conneaut, Ohio was transported via railway car ferries to Port Stanley. Railway ferries used to carry coal hopper cars from Conneaut Ohio to Port Stanley, which then proceeded to London.The railway also proved popular with local residents, particularly in the summer when many commuters utilized the system to travel to Port Stanley's beach and resort facilities. However, the railway's service was not always impeccable, as it also earned the nicknames Late & Poor Service, Lost & Presumed Sunk, and Lean, Push & Shove.[3]
Originally, the railway operated steam locomotives, with the first passenger train arriving in 1856. In 1914 the line was leased by the City of London, which proceeded to electrify it. The City bought the line outright in 1950, 36 years into its 99-year lease.[4] During the 1950s passenger traffic suffered from automobile competition, and passenger operations were suspended in February 1957. The Canadian National Railways purchased the line in 1965.
The London & Port Stanley Railway was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame (NARHF) in 2008 in the "Local" category for "Communities, Business, Governments and Groups" for those who have made significant contributions or achievements relating to the railway industry.[5] The L&PS made good use of the Canada Southern Railway Station in St. Thomas (home to NARHF,) helping to make it one of the busiest station in the country in the early 20th century.[6]
The portion of the line from London to St. Thomas is now part of the CN Talbot Subdivision, while the St. Thomas to Port Stanley portion is operated as a heritage railway by the Port Stanley Terminal Rail.
3 of 8 cars originally ordered by the St. Louis, Monte Sano and Southern from St. Louis in 1908 before bankruptcy. Car bodies bought by the L&PS in 1916. (The other five became Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway numbers 88–92.)[8]
13, 15, 17, 19
Former steam railroad coaches rebuilt to MU with the electric cars.
21
Kuhlman
February 1909
Control trailer. Built as WTLH&P 104. To TMER&L 1129. Rebuilt as a coach in 1924. Sold to the L&PS in 1941. To IRM in 1955 and repainted as TMER&L 1129.
23
St. Louis
1907
Control trailer with extra baggage door in left side. Built as TMER&L 1110. Rebuilt in 1924 as parlor car 3 ("Waubeesee"). Renumbered 1134 in 1927. Sold to the L&PS in 1941. Sold as a summer cottage in 1955.
Boxcab electric locomotive L1, electric interurban 14 and the Port Stanley incline cars are preserved at the Elgin County Railway Museum in St. Thomas.[10]
^"London & Port Stanley Railway 8". Halton County Radial Railway. Ontario Electric Railway Historical Association. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
^"London & Port Stanley Railway 3". Halton County Radial Railway. Ontario Electric Railway Historical Association. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
^BY-LAW NO. 6240-09, BEING A BY-LAW TO DESIGNATE THE STATION GALLERY, THE STRUCTURE MUNICIPALLY KNOWN AS 1450 HENRY ST, AS BEING OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE AND INTEREST (by-law, available from the Town of Whitby). Town of Whitby. October 13, 2009.
