Railway map of Canada

Description:
This map shows railroads in Canada.

The railway map of Canada represents one of the most extensive transportation networks in North America, documenting the evolution of rail infrastructure that played a crucial role in the nation's development. Canada's first railway, the Champlain and Saint Lawrence Railroad, was established in 1836, marking the beginning of railway expansion across the vast territory.

The most significant achievement in Canadian railway history was the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), completed on November 7, 1885. This transcontinental line, stretching 4,828 kilometers from Montreal to Vancouver, was built between 1881 and 1885 under the direction of William Van Horne. The project was undertaken to fulfill a promise made to British Columbia when it joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871. Construction through the Rocky Mountains presented extreme challenges, requiring the building of spiral tunnels, bridges, and protective snow sheds. The Lethbridge Viaduct, opened in 1909 in Alberta, became the country's largest railway structure.

A second transcontinental railway was completed in 1914, while the Canadian National Railway (CN) was formed between 1918 and 1923 through the nationalization and consolidation of several bankrupt railway companies, including the Grand Trunk Railway. By 1990, Canada's railway network reached 65,000 kilometers in total length, though this had decreased to approximately 36,114 kilometers by 2010. Today, CN and CPR remain the two major freight railway operators, with their networks extending into the United States. Passenger rail service is primarily operated by VIA Rail Canada, established in 1978 to take over intercity passenger operations from both CN and CPR.

Historical railway maps of Canada, particularly the comprehensive 1981 map showing the complete network of both CN and CPR lines, are considered valuable documentation of the country's transportation infrastructure at its peak development.