Guelph Junction Railway

The Guelph Junction Railway is the first railway in the Commonwealth of Nations to be owned by a municipality the city of Guelph, Ontario. The only other is Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway.

History

The Guelph Junction Railway was created in 1885 by Guelph merchants because of the indifference of the Grand Trunk Railway which provided the only choice for their freight shipments. Competition was the only answer to high rates. Rather than operate such a small railway themselves, they leased their line to the Canadian Pacific Railway 16 mile link to Campbellville, Ontario. Shortly afterwards the City of Guelph bought out the merchants and took 100% ownership. It was very successful for many decades however, passenger trains ended and freight trains declined until after a century of operation the CPR declined to renew the lease.

Undeterred, the GJR decided it would continue operations. This time an independent railway operator Ontario Southland Railway was contracted to take over operations beginning January 1, 1998. Under this shortline railway method customers are provided with equal access to both major railways which along with good locally managed service has increased traffic considerably.

The City of Guelph still owns it today and is uniquely the only municipality in Canada to have its own federally chartered railway.

External links

* [http://www.osrinc.ca/update/Operations/guelph.htm GJR Operators Website]
* [http://trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/OSR/OSR.htm History and current operation]