Caption: Another one of those old CN stations, size alone killing its modern day usefulness; as times change and trains need not stop here any more. Everything at this station shows it's purpose: baggage cart (good size one, too!) for the mail and parcels, two freight doors; passenger waiting area and bench out front, main office for agent and his living quarters on the upper floor; these structures were once all-beneficial to the world outside the village boundaries. Today, this building, like most, is long gone.
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I like the Ron Brown book reference ‘The Train Doesn’t Stop Here anymore’ (if you were or not). That book is definitely tear jerking. Great shot. Question, was the building of a stone structure? Thanks for documenting it.
Brad: I really do not have the understanding why stations were built in certain areas with certain material. Sure, it often depended on importance, etc. This particular station was made of wood with an added “insul-stucco type finish; a pebbly finish similar to insul-brick we used to see on a lot of these buildings. ( a cheap way to control drafts??)Stone we find at Port Hope, St. Mary’s, as you know, and oddly, Virden MB (I guess there was a supply of stone nearby) and the more important centers had brick in most cases. Small towns were mostly wood, but in many areas that was not always the rule. You can bet, though, that the wooden ones would be the first to come down!!
Brown’s book you mention is very entertaining, as is the rest of his series. And thank you for appreciating this RP photo.
I was thinking that it might be the stucco finish… What’s the sub from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg called? I don’t know much West of Thunder Bay. Thanks for your response and sharing as always a pleasure viewing your work.
btw, the wood ones left standing normally the ‘kids’ burn down! Unfortunately.
Nice shot Arnold. Great piece of history you preserved for us.
Brad: The “southern” route of CN in NW Ont is Kashabowie Sub out of Thunder Bay to Atikokan then Fort Frances Sub until the line enters the US just past Rainy River. Then it is the Sprague Sub in Manitoba up to Winnipeg’s big Symington Yd.
I love all thes old station pictures Arnold! Thanks for sharing. PRH