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Very nice Terry, well composed with the CNR orange van, the wooden water tank, the classical Caledonia passenger and some Dunnville Sub tracks still showing “shine”. The low sunlight, high level wispy cloud and well groomed grounds enhance the scene even more and updated status much appreciated – well done ! John
John, Thank you for the much-appreciated comment.
Great photo Terry. When I moved to Caledonia in May 1988, i was thrilled they had a train station and an active line. One of my first visits, there was a CN employee at the station who allowed us (my grandfather, brother and me) to come in and take a look around. Then, the station was insulbricked. I used to sit on the old loading platform that was on the north side of the tracks, drawing the station in my sketchbook. Trains were still a plenty, coming up from Hamilton via Ferguson Ave., although the Dunnville Sub. had been abandoned 2 years prior (1986). Most I missed seeing because I was still in public school then, or sleeping.
As time went on, the station would be closed, and was in need of much care. Businessman Ron Clark, would buy the building and I suppose the land from CN, and restoration would begin. Many businesses would help out. And it almost didnt happen, as the Old Mill that stood directly across from the station caught fire and burned down. Thankfully, the station was unharmed.
Official opening of the Chambers new location in the station happened Nov. 1997. I’d attend, having helped paint the name boards. Artist Larry Fisher was commissioned to do a painting of the station. I received a framed copy of it from my parents for my ‘golden birthday’ in Jan. 1998.
Soon CN left and then RailLink, and eventually the SOR ran the line. The Hagersville (or as I have always called it, the Rymal) Sub. was truncated to a spur to still serve the Domtar plant.
One visit today, and you’d be amazed that the old Domtar plant on the NE side of Hwy. 6 (Argyle Steet) is all new subdivisions. The Argyle Steet crossing was removed, and the once busy yard osnt used becoming more grown in. CN took back the now profitable line, running from Brantford to Garnet. From Garnet to Stelco on Lake Erie, or to switch out Imperial Oil is still serviced by the SOR. All sidings and the eastern portion of the wye are gone. Purina plant behind the station is still there, and I assume trucks now rule the day. The site of the Old Mill is now a Food Basics, and that loading dock was also removed.
Sad, just for me to look back now almost 40 years later and remember it all, how it once was. But, the station is still there, having stood for nearly 120 years.