David R.P. Guay - Great Western Railway of Canada: Southern Ontario’s Pioneer Railway

Early Years

J anuary 9, 1834, was an historic day upon which a select committee of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada enthusiastically recommended approval of a petition under consideration. This petition called for the granting of a charter to construct a railway from the town of London to the head of Lake Ontario. Supporters of the petition included many progressive and influential citizens of London, Hamilton, and all points between, including Allan Napier MacNab, Edward Allen Talbot, Colin C. Ferrie, James Belle Ewart, James Hamilton, Mahlon Burwell, James Ingersoll, George J. Goodhue, and Jasper T. Gilkison. In fact, seventy-six sponsors affixed their names to the petition, including one man who was member of Parliament for the London district and chairperson of the select committee that approved the petition: Mahlon Burwell!

The result was the incorporation of the London and Gore Railroad Company on March 6, 1834, for the purpose of constructing a single or double track wooden or iron railway or way commencing at the town of London and extending to the harbour in Burlington Bay at the head of Lake Ontario and also the navigable waters of the Thames River [Ed. note: up to Chatham] and Lake Huron. The inclusion of a clause authorizing the use of steam or the power of animals, or any mechanical or other power indicated that railways were still in their infancy at this time and that steam locomotives had yet to prove their superiority. Naturally, the railway was allowed to cross any watercourse or road, provided that the watercourse or road was restored to its original state, and usefulness was not impaired. This was especially emphasized for the Grand and Thames Rivers. As will be seen in the next chapter, the successor Great Western Railway did not always behave in this prescribed manner. Capital stock was established at 100,000 ($487,000 U.S.) with a proviso that it could be increased to 200,000 ($975,000 U.S.) in the event of extending the works to the Thames River or Lake Huron. Construction was to be commenced within two years of passage of the act and was to be completed between London and Burlington Bay within ten years and from London to the Thames River and Lake Huron within twelve years of passage of the act (Upper Canada Statutes, 4 William IV, chapter 29, assent date March 6, 1834).

Promoters of the new company immediately set to work, with the Montreal Gazette (May 3, 1834) reporting:

We perceive by the True Patriot that the first meeting of the friends of the London and Gore Railroad was held in London on Monday, April 7 [1834]; and we rejoice to find that stock on the amount of four or five hundred shares [10,00012,500] was taken up before the meeting adjourned. When it is considered that every landholder within ten miles of the intended road must be greatly benefitted by its completion, and that the produce of the finest and most fertile country in America must in a few years be of little value, unless some such improvement is effected, we are not at all surprised to hear that the farmers are coming forward to take up stock.

Unfortunately, the promoters found themselves unable to attract necessary capital, despite a modest objective of 100,000. Despite a lack of capital, enthusiasm continued unabated. In 1836 Elisha Johnson, civil engineer, was engaged to conduct a preliminary survey of the route and report to the directors.