Since its beginnings, CPR has relied on photography to promote its transportation network, as well as to document the company's achievements and day-to-day operations. As early as 1884, William Van Horne, then CPR's vice-president, recognized the importance of photography and worked out an arrangement whereby prints were provided for CPR's promotional needs in exchange for transportation.

Canadian Pacific Archives’ photographic collection consists of more than 500,000 images of which only a limited number are shown in this photo gallery. The images may not be downloaded or used for any commercial purpose without written permission from Canadian Pacific. Publishers and production companies should contact the Archives for assistance.