First Train on the Canadian Pacific Railway's Mountain Division

August 15, 1883, marked the running of the first revenue train over the Canadian Pacific Railway's newly completed Mountain Division, conquering the formidable Rogers Pass in the Selkirks. Under chief engineer Major A.B. Rogers, crews battled avalanches, steep grades, and harsh weather using snow sheds and spiral tunnels. This engineering triumph connected eastern Canada to the Pacific coast, fulfilling the promise of Confederation. Key figures included CPR president William Cornelius Van Horne, who pushed the project forward. The line enabled massive immigration and resource extraction, with lasting effects on Canada's national identity and the development of tourism in the Canadian Rockies via scenic rail travel.