The Windsor and Annapolis Railway

The first railway company to build a railroad through Berwick was the Windsor and Annapolis Railway.

The first sod was turned January 1, 1867. Registered in London (England), this line had its head office in Kentville.

June 26, 1869, the first passenger train passed through Berwick and continued as far as Wolfville. The line was extended to Grand Pre by August 19 of the same year. The first run between Halifax and Annapolis was made five years (to the day) after the sod turning ceremony, January 1, 1872.

The wider gauge (5'6�) was changed June 30, 1875, to the 4'8 1/2� of the intercolonial railway in a conversion time of 10 hours (after proper planning), thus preventing any interruption in service.

A few years later, a line was built between Yarmouth and Digby. The main purpose was to cut out the hazardous steamer trip around the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. This left only the section between Annapolis and Digby without railway service. Travel from Halifax was by rail to Annapolis, then steamer or road to Digby, and then back to the railway for the final leg of the trip to Yarmouth.

In 1891, with a large amount of money from the Dominion government, the railway section between Annapolis and Digby was opened and trains began travelling the entire distance between Halifax and Yarmouth.

The Windsor and Annapolis Railway developed a special business relationship in the village of Berwick by opening the railway between Halifax and Annapolis in January 1872. In February of that year, the Methodist Camp Meeting was founded by E.C. Foster and, only by rail, could the people of the many Methodist circuits attend the July meetings. The fares for those who attended the camp were greatly reduced and a special train from Halifax to Berwick arrived for the weekend service. The event was a success; camp officials reported attendance figures of over 3,000 people. The camp meeting became an annual event, which still draws people from far and wide.

The opening of the railway between Halifax and Yarmouth in 1891, connected with the steamships sailing between Yarmouth and Boston, had a big impact on the workforce in Nova Scotia. With Boston just a few hours from the centre of the farming district, many workers moved to New England, with its industry and wages the main attraction.

Many Bluenoses returned to their native province, some after acquiring trades and business skills that were useful after their return home.

The Windsor and Annapolis Railway became part of the Dominion Atlantic Railway system in 1895.