Photo: Elgin County Archives

The London and Port Stanley Railway opened on September 25, 1856, sponsored by London businessmen.

The L&PS Railway carried both goods and passengers, but did not produce the anticipated revenue. As a result the line was leased to the Great Western Railway in 1872. The GWR was absorbed by the Grand Trunk, and service on the line continued until 1892, when it was taken over by the City of London.
In 1893 the Lake Erie and Detroit River Railway leased the line to carry coal from Pennsylvania. During the summer, many day trippers from London travelled to Port Stanley by rail.

In 1913 the City of London assumed operation of the railway, with Sir Adam Beck, also Hydro Electric Commission chair, at the helm. Under his direction, the L&PS was rebuilt and electrified, reopening on July 1, 1915. Passenger service on the line ended in 1965.

CN continues to operate the line for freight.

The L&PS is one of the oldest rail lines in Canada, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2006.