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Caption: Back in early 1977 when I dropped by the boarded up Smiths Falls CN station, I would have never envisioned it evolving into the now very impressive Railroad Museum of Eastern Ontario.
Passenger service here was on its' last legs. The line was abandoned northward of here in 1978. The station itself had been empty for 15 years before a 'Save-our-Station group, led by the C of C got the ball rolling to preserve the structure and with the fledgling Smiths Falls Railroad Museum Association, gathered artifacts and were able to open a museum to the public by 1985.
It helped that the structure itself was designated a National Historical Site in 1983, ensuring the future of the old CNoR station which was built and opened back in 1914.
No idea why a camper trailer was on site. It rather spoiled the picture.
Today, the building is surrounded by classic rolling stock and locomotives and well worth the visit. I understand it is now open daily except Mondays.
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I would suggest the trailer might be for a track department welder and helper. This was a common form of accommodation for welders (both CP & CN) who were quite mobile in their daily work assignments.
Thanks, Paul. Makes all the sense.
Ahhh….the ‘million dollar shot’. From my last visit there I believe this angle I’d no longer possible. Too bad too that the mini runs to the Rideau Canal lift bridge ended. Still….the museum has persevered and is well maintained by their numerous volunteers and sponsors.