The commercial spring seal hunt was one of Newfoundland and Labrador's most dangerous and demanding industries in the 19th century.

As seals became more difficult to harvest, Newfoundland outfitters turned first to larger sailing vessels and then to wooden-hulled steamers.

In the years before 1914 generally rising prices (including prices for seal products) helped make the Newfoundland economy comparatively buoyant.

The Newfoundland Railway was not merely a convenient route to the middle of nowhere.

The labour force of Newfoundland and Labrador is now more highly diversified than is usually realized.

Newfoundland and Labrador's physical environment greatly influenced the ways settlers made a living during the 19th century. The richness of marine resources encouraged a pattern of coastal settlement and made the cod and seal fisheries central to local economies. In contrast, the relative scarcity of good soils and other terrestrial resources made large-scale farming operations impractical and discouraged year-round habitation of interior spaces.

Until well into the 20th century, Newfoundland's primary economic activity was in the fisheries.

Government officials promoted various land-based industries during the first half of the 20th century.

The Railway Settlement Act and the Newfoundland Government Railway (1920-49)--Society--Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web

Although the main line was itself a signal feat of engineering and political optimism, branch lines were also integral to the Newfoundland railway.

The Newfoundland Railway linked not only opened up the western interior of the island, but also provided a link between Newfoundland and Canada

The Newfoundland railway impacted the province economically, socially, and politically.

The history of the railway: The construction period, the Reid family, the Government of Newfoundland, Canadian National Railways, and TerraTransport.

Operations of the Newfoundland railway and the types of equipment that was required.

It was anticipated from the first that the railway would transform Newfoundland and its society as a whole.

On the completion of the railway line, there was an attempt to consolidate and expand coastal steamship services in Newfoundland and Labrador...

The Newfoundland railway operated for a little over a century. From 1882-97 the trains ran over completed portions of a projected trans-insular line.

Reid Descendants--Society--Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web

Robert Gillespie Reid and his descendants left an imprint on numerous aspects of Newfoundland business, politics and society.

Few issues surrounding the Newfoundland Railway attracted as much controversy as the lands grants made under various construction contracts...