Riding the rails through Hamilton for 126 years

Although incorporated in 1884, the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway did not acquire its first line until 1892.

In 1894, the company received permission to build a line into downtown Hamilton to provide passenger service. It was also to build a tunnel from Queen Street to the terminal station at Hunter Street East, the only tunnel on the line.

This small railway, in competition with other larger railways, became an integral part of Hamilton's transportation history. It began passenger service in 1896 between Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo.

By 1913, there were six through trains daily with 700,000 passengers using the line.

Timeline of the T.H.&B:

March 25, 1884: The incorporation of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway by an act of the Ontario Legislature.

Dec. 16, 1892: The company acquires its first line and first locomotive.

October 1894: The City of Hamilton grants permission to build a line into downtown Hamilton.

May 24, 1895: The first passenger train leaves the Hunter Street Station.

1896: Passenger service begins between Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo.

1913: 700,000 passengers are using the service.

1914: The line is extended from Smithville to Dunnville.

1916: The line is extended to Port Maitland.

1927: Service begins between Welland and Port Colborne, bringing the total track to 111 miles (nearly 180 km).

1930-1933: Massive grade separation project in Hamilton elevates all the tracks above ground level and installs underpasses on all the main downtown streets.

1931: Original train station demolished.

June 26, 1933: New Art Deco train station opens.

1981: Passenger service is discontinued

January 1987: The line is incorporated into Canadian Pacific Railway. The T.H.&B. Railway ceases to exist

1994: The train station is reconstructed as the new GO Transit Bus and Rail Terminal