Harry Piers: Museum Maker

Notes from Piers Accession Book: Coloured, enlargement of photograph of General Mining Association's Locomotive "Samson", made by Timothy Hackworth of Newcastle in Great Britain, and claimed by many to be the first locomotive to run in British North America. At any rate it was undoubtedly the first to run in Eastern Canada and on all-metal rails.

It was first operated in 1839 on the General Mining Association's six-mile railway (with malleable iron fish-bellied rails) between Albion Mines and the Loading Ground at mouth of East River, Pictou Harbour, Pictou County, Nova Scotia.
 
This railway was begun in 1836, was planned and constructed by a local surveyor, Peter Crearer, and was opened in 1839, the Samson being the first locomotion to run on it. (continued… )

View complete entry from the Harry Piers Accession Book

Date Accessioned: 18 March 1921

Reference: Harry Piers number 4953  Nova Scotia Archives Photograph Collection Transportation and Communication: Railways /  negative: N-9876