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The South Ontario Pacific Railway Company

Location: The line is located in South-Central Ontario, connecting Canadian Pacific properties between Guelph Junction and Hamilton Junction.

History: The South Ontario Pacific Railway Company (SOPR) was chartered in 1887 as a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway to construct a line from Woodstock through Brantford and Hamilton to a point on the Niagara River, with branches from Hamilton to Cooksville and St. Marys to Lake Huron, a total of 105 miles (170 km). The company's aim was to compete with the existing Grand Trunk Railway lines in that area. While some initial survey work was completed that year, the company remained dormant for a number of years thereafter. During this time, several other Canadian Pacific related railways, including the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway, constructed track within the potential sphere of influence of the projected SOPR. By 1905, the matter seems to have been forgotten, however, the charter continued to remain in force.

In November 1910, plans were announced by the CPR that the missing link between Hamilton (Bayview/Hamilton Junction) and Guelph Junction would be completed, thus providing a rival connection for Guelph to Lake Ontario markets. In combination with this initiative, it was disclosed that the CPR would construct an extension of the line north from Guelph Junction to Georgian Bay through Acton and Georgetown. All of the work was to be completed under the guise of the SOPR charter. Construction on the Hamilton connection was commenced immediately by the Toronto Construction Company with the line formally leased to the CPR for 999 years in January 1912. The project was officially opened for traffic in July 1912. The Georgian Bay proposal never proceeded past the drawing board. In 1956, the company disappeared as a corporate entity.

Approximate Milage: 16 miles.

Current Status: Under the Canadian Pacific, the line became part of the Goderich Subdivision. Effective October 1, 1996, the SOPR tracks were transferred to the St. Lawrence & Hudson Railway, a CPR subsidiary and now form part of the Hamilton Subdivision.

Principle Stations: Guelph Junction, Waterdown and Hamilton Junction.

Remaining Stations: There is one remaining station along the SOPR, that being the Waterdown North building. Located in its original place at Parkside Dr. E, the structure is currently offices for the William Barnes Company.

Additional information on the South Ontario Pacific Railway can be had from the following sites:

Mark Liddell's "Hamilton Railfan Guide" StL&H Hamilton Sub Footnotes page Link
Bill Miller's "STLH Hamilton Subdivision" page Link

Last Updated: December 31, 1997

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