The New P E I Railway Station and Its Unique Rail System
The Prince Edward Island Railway stands apart in Canada as a government-owned narrow gauge line of 3 feet 6 inches. It is the province’s sole rail system, with all cars bearing P E I R, contrasting with Intercolonial lines and various provincial or company railways elsewhere. The gauge and ownership distinctions affect regional rail connections and broader gauge transitions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Prince Edward Island
Canada
Government of Canada
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Quebec
Intercolonial
Ontario
America
Grand Trunk
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company
Prince Howard Island
Dominion
North American
United States
Prince Edward Island Railway History and Expansion
The Prince Edward Island Railway began under provincial control, then joined the Dominion. By 1875 operation steadied with a light main line from Alberton to Georgetown and branches, using soft coal locomotives and 56 lb steel rails. Tracks reach far into the province with future extensions proposed and Harmony to Elmira under construction. The article lists early staff and stations, noting historic gauge challenges and evolving equipment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Canada
Prince Edward Island
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Dominion
Dominion of Canada
Alberton
Georgetown
Charlottetown
Royalty
Mount Stewart
Souris
Signish
Railway staff and expansion of Island lines in 1900s
The article lists the railway staff headed by Superintendent Sharp and outlines the evolving network from Charlottetown westward to Tignish and eastward to Georgetown and Souris. It notes extensions such as Emerald to Cape Traverse, Murray Harbor (Including Vernon Branch), and Montague Junction to Montague, totaling 26.74 miles in operation, plus commentary on routing decisions, curve handling, and recent station and workshop developments.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
W. McKechnie
A. Stronach
F. Roper
H. Brown
E. H. Brennan
H. Houle
T. Williams
Roper
Sharp
Charlottetown
G. A. Sharp
W.T. Huggan
Poole
F. Hodgson
Medh
H. McEwen
G. A. Hughes
A. McDonald
B. McEachern
I. J. Bethune
Tignish
Georgetown
Souris
Emerald
Cape Traverse
Murray Harbor
Vernon
Hilleboro River
Montague Junction
Montague
Scene in Charlottetown Curves and Railway Upgrades
A fragment discusses Charlottetown rail conditions noting sharp curves on narrow gauge lines. It cites improvements through ballast, iron and steel bridges, steel rails, and new locomotives and passenger cars, transforming service and reliability despite damaged text.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Georgetown
Also Mentioned on This Page
Lee
Moncton
Winnipeg
Maritime Provinces
S. S. Harland
Harmony
Elmira
Wiltshire
Royalty Junction
Morell
St. Peter’s
Alex. MacNab
L. B. Archibald
Spas Coleman
J. Unsworth
Ant A. Sharp
Ate
The
North Wiltshire
Kelvin
Curtis Creek
Milton
Kensington
West Cape
Aldare
Cape
Egmont
P.E.I. Railway
Prince
Gulf
Gulf OF
Queen Square
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!