The Kid's Site of Canadian Trains

Knights of the Steel Rails

Sir Hugh Allan - (1810-1882)

Shipping industry leader, railway promoter and financier, Hugh Allan came to Canada from Scotland as a teenager. During the 1872 election race, Allan put money into John A. Macdonald's campaign and helped him to win. In return, he expected to be given the railway charter to build the cross-Canada railway. John A. Macdonald denied rumours that he accepted bribes for railway contracts, but a telegraph was found that contained proof and Macdonald resigned in 1873. This event became known as the Pacific Scandal. When Macdonald became prime minister again and continued his goal of building the railway, the contract went to someone else.

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