Louisbourg in Cape Breton Region, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Sydney and Louisbourg Railway Museum
The S&L Railway, one of the most modern lines in Canada, replaced this in 1895. The volume of freight hauled by the S&L rose sharply during its early years. The number of passengers on the S&L, mainly employees of the mines going to and from work, reached a peak of 176,000 in 1913.
By the 1950’s the S&L had 31 steam locomotives operating over 116 miles of track, 39 miles of which was main line. The railway employed 400 employees, hauled 4 million tons of freight annually, chiefly coal, more per mile than any other railway in Canada. During both world wars the ports of Sydney and Louisbourg were staging areas for Atlantic convoys and the S&L was a vital link in the supply of fuel and steel. Until regular air service to Newfoundland was offered, both ports were also a terminus for rail and passenger traffic between Newfoundland and the rest of Canada.
Fascinating Fact!
S&L ran picnic excursions and blueberry specials that would stop anywhere to let passengers off, and pick them up in the evening. Hunters and vacationers would flag a train and get on, and the crews alway took a lively interest in the latest news along the line. Many times in foul weather and blizzards, the S&L sent out a locomotive and a car to take a doctor somewhere, or bring someone into the hospital.
Erected by Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority. (Marker Number 9.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 45° 55.535′ N, 59° 57.725′ W. Marker is in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, in Cape Breton Region. Marker is on Main Street (Nova Scotia Route 22) close to Huntington Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7336 Main Street, Louisbourg NS B1C 1P9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. French Naval Guns (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lobster Fishery (approx. 2 kilometers away); French Garrison at Louisbourg (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); First Lighthouse Tower (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); First Lighthouse (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); 19th-Century Lighthouse (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Louisbourg Harbour (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Lighthouse Point (approx. 2.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisbourg.
Also see . . .
1. Sydney and Louisburg Railway Station - Canada's Historic Places. The Sydney and Louisburg Railway Station is valued as the station and freight shed are the last remaining artefacts of the Sydney and Louisborg (S&L) Railway, the construction of which made possible the expanded and year-round shipment of coal from the mines of the newly created Dominion Coal Company. (Submitted on December 30, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
2. Sydney and Louisburg Railway - Wikipedia. The Sydney and Louisburg Railway (S&L) is a historic Canadian railway. Built to transport coal from various mines to the ports of Sydney and Louisbourg, the S&L operated in the eastern part of Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia. The railway uses a slightly different spelling for the town of "Louisbourg". (Submitted on December 30, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on November 26, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 30, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.