Canadian Government Railways : The Canadian Government Railways began with the Intercolonial Railway. An Intercolonial Railway, designed to link the colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with Canada had been the subject for discussion for thirty years before an accord on its construction was reached. In reply to an appeal from the colonies for Imperial aid in constructing such a railway, the Secretary of State, in a dispatch dated April 12, 1862, informed the colonies that an Imperial guarantee of interest on any loans obtained by the colonies for the purpose of this construction would be made available. At a conference held in Quebec in September 1862 the representatives of each colony agreed to accept the offer and upon the extent to which each would participate. Before construction could commence, the confederation of the colonies into the Dominion of Canada occurred and, under the British North America Act, the railway lines already constructed and owned by the provinces, the European and North American Railway (RG 30 IV A2) and the Nova Scotia Railway(RG 30 IV A3), became the responsibility of the Dominion Government which was obligated to extend them into an Intercolonial System. The Dominion Act 31 Vic. Cap. 13 of December 21, 1867 authorized the construction of a railway linking Rivière du Loup, Quebec with the Halifax-Truro railway line and appointed commissioners to oversee construction and management. The 700 mile main line, originally broad gauge but converted to standard gauge before completion, was opened for traffic on July 1, 1876. In 1874 responsibility for the Intercolonial Railway was transferred from the Commissioners to the Minister of Public Works and, in 1879, to the Minister of Railways and Canals. In 1879 the line was lengthened by the purchase of the Grand Trunk line from Riviere du Loup to Charny near Quebec City, which was extended to Levis in 1884. An eastern extension was completed in 1881 when a line was constructed through Cape Breton Island to Sydney. In 1899 the Intercolonial Railway was extended to Montreal by the purchase of the 131 mile line of the Drummond County Railway (no records at NA) which ran as far as Ste Rosalie, P.Q. and the acquisition of running rights over the Grand Trunk from Ste Rosalie to Montreal. Subsequent to 1900 the name Canadian Government Railways increasingly replaced Intercolonial Railway particularly when, after 1915, the National Transcontinental Railway (RG 30 IV B) was added to the system. In addition to the main Halifax-Montreal line the Intercolonial was responsible for the Prince Edward Island Railway which was transferred before completion upon the province entering confederation. In addition, several small branches were built and numerous small companies which are mentioned in the appropriate portions of the inventory. RG30 general inventory
