The history of one of Canada's most important railroads, the Canadian Pacific, is integral to the story of how much of modern Canada came to be. First founded in 1881, the railway was incorporated to connect the trade hubs of cities such as Toronto and Quebec with the underpopulated western regions of British Columbia. Canadian rail tours could provide a fascinating glimpse into how the railways came to be, while providing travelers with a luxurious way to enjoy the natural splendor of the countryside.

The confederation of Canada on July 1, 1867 brought with it many challenges of how to unite the disparate provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with the centralized regions of Quebec and Ontario. Manitoba was confederated in 1870, and a year later, British Columbia was encouraged to join the rapidly forming country. One condition of British Columbia's membership was that a trans-Canadian railway be completed within 10 years to link the provinces of east and west. Rocked by political scandal in 1873, a newly formed syndicate brought stability to the expanding railroad in 1878.

A fascinating tale of power struggles, trade routes and industrial progress, visitors can relive the history of the Canadian Pacific with train trips across Canada of their own.