The first coal mine on the island was opened by the French at Cow Bay (now Port Morien) in 1720, and a little more then a centery later some of the first railway track in North america was laid to facilitate the removal of coal to local shipping wharves. The mining industry developed rapidly during the 19th century. In a thirty six year period near the close of the century, 30 new mines were opened, including those in North Sydney and Glace Bay, with simultaneous constructin of numerous small railways connecting the collieries with the shipping ports.

The Nova Scotia Government recognized theneed for an outlet in Louisbourg which would link the various railways around Sydney with Louisbourgs ice free harbour which would permit the shipping of coal all year round. The first attempt in 1873 was a poorly-built narrow gauge line which failed to meet the needs of the coal companies. Few trains ever made the run to Louisbourg over this line and in 1883 a forest fire destroyed a major porion of the roadbed.

In 1891 H.M. Whitney came to Cape Breton to establish a steel industry. The resulting Dominion Coal Company, later the Dominion Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) consolidated ownership of both numerous local coal mines and the railways that served them. Construction began on a new railway to connect the collieries with Louisburg, and upon its completion in 1895 the S&L Railway was one of the most modern lines in Canada.

The vlume of frieght hauled by the S&L rose sharply during its early years. By the 1950's the S&L had 31 steam locomotives operating over 116 miles of track, 39 miles of which was main line. The railway employed 400 men, hauled 4 million tons of frieght annually, chiefly coal, and more per mile than any other railway in canada. The number of passengers ont he S&L, mainly employees of the mines going to and from work, reached a peak of 176,000 in 1913. The coming of automobiles reduced this traffic until passenger trains were eliminated after World War II, although mixed trains continued to run daily, except weekends.

The S & L was a neighbourly and unpretentious railway, and it operated on a personal basis that meant a lot to the people it served. The railway ran picnic excursions and blueberry specials that would stop anywhere to let passengers off, and pick them up in the evening. It took little for a hunter or vacationer to flag a train and get on, and the crews always took a lively interest in the latest news along the line. Many times in foul weather and blizzards, the S & L sent out a locomotive and a car to take a doctor somewhere, or bring someone into the hospital. There may have been more pranks and practical played by S & L men than on any other line in the country, but they were tough and competent railroaders. In the early days, before air brakes, they spent many runs climbing over the icy tops of coal hoppers to brake the trains, and they moved an enormous amount of coal.

During both world wars the ports of Sydney and Louisbourg were staging areas for Atlantic convoys, and the S & L was a vital lik in the supply of fuel and steel. Ujtil the advent of regular air service to Newfoundland both ports were a terminus for rail and passenger traffic between Newfoundland and the reast of Canada.

Due to the availability of coal for fuel, the first diesel engine was not placed in service on the S & L until 1961, and the last steam locomotive was not retired until 1966. The demise of the railway soon after resulted from the crises affecting Cape Breton's coal industry in the 1960's. The loss of industrial markets meant less coal shipped from Cape Breton and less traffic for the rail link to lousibourg.

In 1960 the following poem was introduced in an article in Railroad Magazine.

There is a land of pure delight
Where hand-fired steam still reigns
Where mighty Mikes roar day and night
And Moguls haul mixed trains.

The article urged railfans to visit the S & L Railway, the last all steam Class 1 railway in North America, before the romance of steam gave way to the efficiency of diesel power.

Today the S & L Railway Historical Society, beginning with a handful of retired S & L employees in the early 1970's now boasts over 250 members. This non profit society is dedicated to the preservation of the only remaining S & L Railway station, freight shed, rolling stock and thousands of artifacts relating to the S & L Railway and local history.

For further information contact S &L Railway museum 7330 Main St. Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada (902)733-2720 info@sydneyandlouisburgrailwaymuseum.ca