Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Historical Society

The Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway (TH&B) was the connecting link between the New York Central (NYC) and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in Southern Ontario. In addition to its function as a bridge line, the railway served some of the most heavily industrialized communities in the region. The railway also incorporated a car ferry service to operate on Lake Erie between Port Maitland, Ontario and Ashtabula, Ohio, known as the TH&B Navigation Co. Commencing operations locally in 1892, the TH&B soon fell under the control of the NYC and the CPR, with the NYC holding a controlling 73% interest in the line while the CPR maintained a minority 27% interest. In 1977, CP Rail acquired the outstanding shares held by NYC’s corporate successor, Conrail, making the TH&B a wholly owned subsidiary of CP Rail. The TH&B maintained corporate autonomy until 1987 when it was amalgamated into the London Division of the Eastern Region of CP Rail.
 
The Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway Historical Society was founded in 1997 with the mandate of preserving the history of the TH&B Railway and its marine subsidiary, the TH&B Navigation Company.
 
Members of the TH&B Historical Society receive our publication The Ontarian and may attend our bi-annual Membership Meetings. The Ontarian contains articles and historical information pertaining to the TH&B’s history, equipment and operations.  The Society’s membership meetings are held in the Spring and Fall of each year at locations significant to the TH&B.  They feature guest speakers who conduct presentations on various facets of the railway. In addition, the Society maintains an active Archive containing blueprints, correspondences, hardware and photographs. Please visit us on the web at http://thbrailway.ca/ or join the TH&B Historical Society’s Facebook Page by typing ThbHistoricalSociety into the Facebook search engine.