Early Canadian railway line, incorporated in 1852–53 to connect the key cities of eastern Canada with Portland, Me.
By completing its final link in July 1853 between Montreal and Portland, it became North America's first international railroad. The main Canadian line between Montreal and Toronto opened in 1856, and the Grand Trunk eventually became the main rail system of Quebec and Ontario. It merged with the Great Western Railway (1882) and became part of the Canadian National Railways (1919–23).