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Neat compact, elevated observatory and an opportunity for those on disability albeit undoubtedly a hazardous climb (20 steps?) during winterly conditions. Thanks for sharing!
I find it interesing placement in the middle of what should be the station platform. was there once a track there?
also I assume the c&o downtown belt line not too far away…. to right?
No doubt that was all double tracked there, perhaps on the right the line was lifted and a ‘station stop’ track existed close to the building. It would be about 1/2 mile east to where the Chessie line was. It would be nice for someone to give us a present day rundown on the doings in Chatham, for I haven’t really explored the area in quite some time. It took me long enough to place this station on the map.
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In addition I’ve noticed over the years a great deal of stations have had the rails moved away from the buildings, as they did in Woodstock.
Let me provide a little bit of information…..the street in the foreground is William Street. The storefronts in behind and to the left of the station face onto King Street…and yes, it was double tracked in front of the station at one time. The crossing guard’s shanty would have sat between the main (shown in this photo)and the track for the station. Obviously, as by now in Arnold’s photo…the station was used by the crew – not for passenger service, therefore no need for the station track.
As for the C&O – yes – 1/2 mile down the line and if you look in this photo closely – the white that is appearing to be track side down the line is what I would guess to be tool sheds, etc in the CP yard….that is where the CSX crossed the CP.
Also to note is the freight cars just in view to the right of Arnold’s photo – another siding in place for all the industries and mills that once stood in the downtown core. All have since gone.
And lastly to update on the station…no longer used as a nursery. Now a private residence. Still in great shape and standing in east end (outskirts) of Chatham.
Excellent, Todd. Thank ye very much.
When checking out rail car ferries and the three slips in Windsor, ON, I came across a neat photo (London station circa 1910) that will undoubtedly tickle your fancy. Double tracked it is and station of the day on the right … oh yes enhanced by inclusion of a steam locomotive … really gives one a better perspective on height of the loft. (Canadian Pacific Railway Windsor, Ontario – Detroit, Michigan … Old Time Trains … CPR London Division)
The main track had a jog just this side of the distant crossing, that had it going next to the platform. The track in the foreground (now the main) was a siding known as Westend. One of the reasons for straightening the track at this location, was to allow for an increased speed limit through the city. The Westened siding was decommissioned as a siding by the early 1970s, but remained for much longer as service track parallel to the main track.
Our Host was asking about the C&O downtown beltline and everyone skirted around it. It would be on the other side of McGregor Creek, to the left of this image, behind the storefronts.
Thanks to RonaldB for explaining where WESTEND was situated, as I’ve just recently seen an image of the tower. EASTEND was the diamond with C&O.
This is in an era where the Board of Transport wouldn’t come along and force you to relocate that gate, on the left, because there is no longer a track within 20 feet of it.
Great discussion. I love how we can gather a good amount of information over years here. Thank you all.
You’re welcome Stephen. I enjoy the chance to regale someone other than my grandkids with tales from my memory.
A little more info on this area: the C&O had a spur that extended from part of the north wye at Eastend. It ended at a lumber yard, I think. The white CP building that used to be at the northeast quadrant crossing of CP & C&O was called Eastend. After the station closed downtown Eastend became the train order office. If we were on a “Chatham Turn” out of London, we turned the power on the north wye after we were done switching out our train which was mostly the C&O delivery of tank cars from Sarnia. We ran the power around the northeast wye onto the C&O main then southward on the northwest wye beyond a signal. Then we ran through a crossover back onto the CP main. The C&O spur was an extension of the northwest wye track. That entire junction around the diamond was a CTC setup run by the Operator at Eastend.