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Reference Material Preserved Equipment Modelling The Canadian Pacific Electric Lines Links Of Interest

Preston, Ontario, Canada

Revised October 20, 2009
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The first electric railway line built between Brantford and Galt was the Grand Valley Railway which began operations in November 1904. (See Robert Hughes page on the Grand Valley Railway for a history of the line.)

Construction of the Lake Erie & Northern Railway commenced in May 1913. The original plan called for the line to be constructed in accordance with the then main line standards for steam operated railways in respect to roadbed, track, bridges and buildings. However, this plan was modified from time to time as construction progressed, no doubt due to the higher costs involved compared to lines built for electric interurban operation. Grading of the line was relatively easy with no serious engineering difficulties being encountered. The only hurdles were the crossing of the Grand River in Brantford, and the Michigan Central and the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway's main lines at Waterford. A high multi span overhead bridge was built at Waterford over the MC and TH&B.

In October 1914, the Canadian Pacific Railway took over the affairs of the Lake Erie & Northern Railway, or LE&N as it was known, and completed construction. The LE&N operated south from Main Street, Galt, 51 miles distance to Port Dover on Lake Erie. The chief objective of the line was to satisfy a steady growing demand, not only from the manufacturers and commercial interests of the City of Brantford, but from the general public who desired a more direct connection with the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the closest point being either Galt or Ayr. Ultimately, Galt was chosen as the connecting point even though it was 21 miles from Brantford compared to Ayr at 16 miles distance, the reason being the industrial territory beyond and a direct connection with the then Galt, Preston & Hespeler and the Preston and Berlin electric lines.

To avoid competition from the Grand Valley Railway, the LE&N purchased the Paris to Galt portion of that line in 1915. Work began in May 1915 to string up electric overhead wire for 1500-volt DC operation. Passenger service between Galt and Brantford commenced on February 7, 1916, with freight service a week later. Service was extended to Simcoe June 2, 1916 and to Port Dover on July 22, 1916. The line terminated at Main Street on the northern boundry of Port Dover. It was not until June 12, 1917 that an agreement with the Grand Trunk Railway was finally approved authorizing joint operation with that company over a half mile section of their track to the passenger station near the lake front.

Original rolling stock of the Lake Erie & Northern consisted of four 58 foot wood cars with steel underframe. The passenger cars were numbered 225, 235, 245 and 255; 2 control trailers numbered 265 and 275; and 2 combination express/passenger cars of the same length numbered 209 and 219. These cars were 9 feet 6 inches wide and 13 feet to the top of the trolley board.

In 1921 a new numbering system was adopted in which the Lake Erie & Northern equipment would be numbered using odd digits, while the Grand River Railway equipment would be numbered using even digits. The four passengers cars thus became 933, 935, 937 and 939, the two trailer cars became 953 and 955. The combination cars became 733 and 735 for a short time before being renumbered again to 797 and 795 respectively. No further renumbering was carried out during the remaining lifetime of the cars.

About this time the two trailer cars were converted into motor cars by the addition of motors, with helical gearing, switch groups, resistance, air compressor, compressor governors, and trolley bases. The cars retained their same numbers and could now operate on their own.

Two all steel passenger cars, built by the Preston Car & Coach Company in 1921, were the last cars purchased. These cars were identical to the seven all steel passenger cars obtained to re-equip the Grand River Railway when that line switched from 600-volt to 1500-volt operation in December 1921. The new cars were numbered 973 and 975.

The area between Brantford and Port Dover is a well-populated agricultural area ideal for growing tobacco, fruits and vegetables. The railway provided a way for these products to be transported to market. The beach at Port Dover generated much passenger traffic in the summer months. Ivey's Greenhouse, and the fact that Port Dover was a fishing port, helped generate express revenue for the line. This traffic would be carried to the Canadian Pacific Railway at Galt where it would be placed on one of the mainline passenger trains for further delivery to its destination.

The Lake Erie & Northern Railway and the Grand River Railway, combined, formed the Canadian Pacific Electric Lines with headquarters in Preston, Ontario, Canada. Legally they were two seperate railways but were operated as one under the Canadian Pacific Electric Lines. Following the conversion of the Grand River Railway to 1500-volt DC operation, equipment of both lines was inter-mixed and running crews also worked both. The LE&N had a car barn at Brantford but major work was done at the GRR shops in Preston. Electric "interurban" or "radial" service, as well as freight service, was provided on daily schedules.

STATION STOPS====

Galt to Port Dover Station Stops Mile Station Name 0.00 Galt Main Street 6.73 Glenmorris 13.32 Paris 21.10 Brantford 23.70 Fairchild 26.17 Mt. Pleasant 27.73 Maple Grove 29.45 Oakland 34.41 Dundurn 36.72 Waterford 43.62 Simcoe 51.02 Port Dover To the right is the type of ticket issued by Conductor's to passengers who boarded the cars between open stations. This one was issued May 19, 1949.