On October 23, 1847 the first sod of the Great Western was turned by Col.Talbot in London at a ceremony on the west side of Richmond Street where the Canadian Pacific Railway is now. As it turned out construction of the line was delayed for another four years, however, in the meantime Canadians were becoming convinced that the railway could improve their life.

Nothing had a more profound impact upon the industrial development of Elgin County and St. Thomas than the coming of the railway.

• Elgin County Railway Museum
• Iron Horse Festival
• The No. 9 Steam Train