The whistle of the steam locomotive on Friday January 3rd, 1854 which marked the official opening of the steam rail connection between Brantford and Buffalo sounded the death knell of the canal.

The coming of a railroad to any town in the 1800's meant a greater future for its people. Brant County was no exception to this. For the most part the rails were an optimistic and opportunist endeavor however, as with all things, it came with its fair share of tragedy.