Though it was met with minimal success at the time, the idea was the backbone of what was to become the Canadian Pacific Railway.

[2] Born in Scotland, Laidlaw moved to British North America in 1855 at the age of 37 and took a position with Gooderham and Worts distillery in Toronto, Ontario.

1860, d. 1927), originally a railbuilder, fought in the North-West Rebellion, as well as in the Boer War as an officer.

[4] During his time in South Africa, he collected artifacts for the Toronto Normal School and its curator David Boyle.

[5] George Laidlaw retired to his estate at St. Mary's on Balsam Lake in 1881, one station from the northern terminus of the Toronto and Nipissing Railway at Coboconk.