Aurora in York Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
First Steam Train 1853
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1853: Le Premier Train à Vapeur
Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 9, 2026
1. First Steam Train 1853 Marker
On May 16, 1853, the Ontario Simcoe and Huron Union Railroad Company operated the first steam train in Canada West from Toronto to Machell's Corners (Aurora). The train consisting of four passenger and freight cars - was drawn by the steam engine "Toronto," the first locomotive built in what is now Ontario. The arrival of the railway accelerated the development of this community, which was incorporated as a village in 1863 and a town in 1888. With the opening of this section of the railway, a third of the proposed line was completed. Begun in 1851 and completed in 1855, the railroad was built to connect Lakes Ontario and Huron from Toronto to Collingwood.
Le 16 mai 1853, l'Ontario Simcoe and Huron Union Railroad Company fait circuler le premier train à vapeur dans l'Ouest canadien entre Toronto et Machell's Corners (Aurora). Le train, composé de quatre voitures à voyageurs et wagons à marchandises, est tracté par la locomotive à vapeur « Toronto », première locomotive à vapeur construite dans ce qui constitue l'Ontario d'aujourd'hui.
this page online
Erected by Ontario Heritage Trust.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1853.
Location. 44° 0.077′ N, 79° 27.581′ W. Marker is in Aurora, Ontario, in York Region. It is at the intersection of Wellington Street East and Berczy Street, on the right when traveling east on Wellington Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 136 Wellington Street E, Aurora ON L4G 1J1, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto, specifically on the Golden Horseshoe, in the York, Durham and Headwaters Area, and in the Toronto Metropolitan Area. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hartman’s Corners School (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Aurora Armoury / Manège Militaire d’Aurora (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); “The Morrison House” (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Town Park (approx. 0.4 kilometers
Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 9, 2026
2. First Steam Train 1853 / 1853: Le Premier Train à Vapeur Marker
Also see . . . The Northern Railway.
With initial support from the Toronto city fathers, the prime mover of the first steam railway in Upper Canada was the imaginative and energetic Frederick Chase Capreol. The OS&HU was first incorporated in 1849 as the Toronto, Simcoe & Lake Huron Union Railroad, but the bill contained some unusual features, the most controversial being an innovative scheme for fundraising by means of a stock lottery, whereby 100,000 raffle tickets would be sold at $20 each. A total of 15,954 ticket holders would receive stock in amounts descending from two prizes for $100,000 in stock to 7,500 allotments of $20 in stock. The lottery scheme was not received well by Toronto the Good and it was dropped from the bill, the railway being re-named the next year as the Ontario, Simcoe & Huron Union Railroad.(Submitted on March 13, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 9, 2026
3. First Steam Train 1853 / 1853: Le Premier Train à Vapeur Marker
Facing South from Wellington Street
4. Aurora and its station on the Northern (Ontario Simcoe & Huron) Railway in 1860
Source: Ontario historical County Maps (public o main)
5. The “Toronto” locomotive of the Northern (Ontario Simcoe & Huron) Railway
Toronto Public Library (public domain)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 13, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
