It linked the city of London with Port Stanley on the northern shore of Lake Erie, a distance of approximately 25 miles (40 km).

Until 1932, coal from Conneaut, Ohio was transported via railway car ferries to Port Stanley.

Railway ferries used to carry coal hopper cars from Conneaut Ohio to Port Stanley, which then proceeded to London.The railway also proved popular with local residents, particularly in the summer when many commuters utilized the system to travel to Port Stanley's beach and resort facilities.

[3] Originally, the railway operated steam locomotives, with the first passenger train arriving in 1856.

[6] The portion of the line from London to St. Thomas is now part of the CN Talbot Subdivision, while the St. Thomas to Port Stanley portion is operated as a heritage railway by the Port Stanley Terminal Rail.