The Credit Valley Railway is located in South-Central Ontario, extending between the City of Toronto on
Lake Ontario, west through Galt, Woodstock and Ingersoll to St. Thomas. In addition, branches were built into
communities of Orangeville and Elora.
Constructed with the hopes of creating trade opportunities in Southern Ontario and drawing it into the sphere of
Toronto, the Credit Valley Railway (CVR) was incorporated in February 1871 to construct a line from Toronto to
Orangeville via Streetsville (in direct competition with the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway) with branches to Galt, Berlin
or Waterloo. The principle backer of the financiers responsible for the project was George Laidlaw. This charter was later
amended over the next several years to permit a branch into Elora from Cataract, line extension from Galt to Woodstock,
and empowerment to build through to St. Thomas to connect with the Canada Southern Railway. Surveys were initiated in
1873 with construction beginning in 1874. Money was short, however, and progress was slow. The first section of track,
from Parkdale (Toronto) to Milton was opened for traffic in 1879. By 1880, the line was operational from Milton to Galt
and into Orangeville and Elora. The final segment was completed from Galt into St. Thomas in 1881. The railway was able
to obtain independent access into Union Station in 1880 where it constructed nearby dock and wharf facilities.After completion of the line in 1881, the company was nearly bankrupt and began searching for a buyer or lease
arrangement. A number of municipalities that had provided funds were concerned with this in that their funds were
forwarded to the railway in hopes of braking the monopoly of the resident Grand Trunk and increasing competition. The
CVR president George Laidlaw, having built a business relationship with president George Stephen of the Canadian
Pacific Railway, attempted to entice his recently created line to purchase the Credit Valley line. Laidlaw's efforts proved
successful when, in November 1883, a CPR affiliated company known as the Ontario & Quebec Railway was
amalgamated with the CVR and the London Junction Railway. After CPR takeover, CVR facilities in Orangeville in
addition to that portion of track that duplicated the Toronto Grey & Bruce Railway line (as well brought into the CPR fold)
into the community from Melville, were closed or phased out.
Total milage for the CVR as constructed was 181 miles made up of the following: the mainline
from Toronto to St. Thomas of 121 miles, the branch from Streetsville to Orangeville of 35 miles, and the Elora branch
(Cataract to Elora) of 25 miles.
Under CPR ownership, the line was ultimately divided administratively into four components. From
Toronto to Woodstock, the line became part of the Galt Subdivision while the route extending from Woodstock to St.
Thomas became the St. Thomas Subdivision. The Orangeville branch now forms part of the Owen Sound Subdivision
while the Elora branch became the Elora Subdivision. In 1988, the Elora Subdivision from Cataract into Elora had been
abandoned. Effective October 1, 1996, all other components of the CVR as noted above had been transferred to the St.
Lawrence & Hudson Railway who is presently trying to sell the Streetsville-Orangeville branch as a short line.
An Official Celebration was held Novemebr 29th at the Old Train
Station (a.k.a. former C.P.R. station re-located up town and long
used as a restuarant).At this event, attended by about 60-70 people, Jacques Cote,
President & CEO, St.Lawrence & Hudson Ry. (a.k.a. Eastern Network of
the C.P.R.) presented many civic and shipper representatives with
beautiful framed pictures commorating the opening of their "new"
railway on September 29th. These were specially commissioned by the
railway and done by an employee-artist. The scene depicts a CPR
locomotive (9675) and a CANDO locomotive (1000 lettered for OBRY!)
It names customer partners of OBRAG (Orangeville-Brampton Rail Access
Group), and a small brass plate includes the opening date etc.Mr. Cote had high praise for the determination of all concerned in
making this happen, both industry customers and civic politicians and
staff, over a long and arduous period of about 6 years! He also
praised his own man, Paul Kerry, for his determination.NOTE: It was in fact Mr.Cote's determination that made it happen,
since the CPR often abandons lines much more abruptly, and this was
long past any legal obligation the CPR had with regard to Federal
Government regulations.Speaches were also made by Tom Deans, Chair of OBRAG; Doug Peters,
Ontario General Manager of CANDO; David Tilson, Ontario MPP for the
area; Mayor Elect Drew Brown; Deputy-Mayor Elect. Orangeville
councillor Nick Garisto; and Councillor Jennifer Walmsley.Industry investment impacts include $4 million of new investments,
and $10M plants investments were mentioned.Long-deferred tracks maintenance paid for by OBRAG was $243,000 for
ties (900 mentioned elsewhere), gauge work and crossings. A further
$340,000 will be authorized January 1st.The Province gave $2M in 1998 with NO strings attached, towards the
$3.5M purchase. Dufferin County invested $750,000 as well.Increasing traffic was mentioned. The average was 30 carloads per
month prior to going shortline. First month of OBRY, saw 44 carloads
and this month's total is 49.Principle Stations: Toronto, Streetsville, Milton, Galt, Drumbo, Woodstock, Ingersoll, Belmont and St. Thomas.
Principle branch line communities include Brampton, Orangeville, Erin, Hillsburgh, Fergus and EloraCredit : RLKennedy.
Remaining Stations: A total of fourteen Credit Valley railway
stations have survived. They are as follows:
1. Streetsville: Moved as a residence to property at 78 William
Street.
2. Milton: Moved as a residence to property at 162 Commercial
Street.
3. Galt: In original location at Malcolm Street, remains in railway
use.
4. Wolverton: Moved as a storage barn to property within Pt. Lt.
10, Con 8 Blenheim Twp.
5. Innerkip: Moved as a residence to property at 29 George Street.
6. Woodstock: In original location at Drew Street, remains in
railway use.
7. Beachville: Moved as a residence to property on County Road
No. 9.
8. Gladstone: Moved to property near Windsor on Blue Church Road.
9. Belmont: Moved as a residence to property on Highway No. 74.
10. Brampton: Moved as a storage building to property on Creditview
Road.
11. Alton: Moved, location unconfirmed.
12. Orangeville: Moved as a restaurant to property at 35 Armstrong
Street.
13. Hillsburgh: Moved to Terra Cotta Conservation Area.
14. Orton: Moved as a residence to property on County Road No.
18.
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