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Caption: Saved !!!! Well, we all knew the situation was getting more promising than it had been once the old CN Freeman Station at Burlington West was up and loaded and ready to roll.
In this view ABRA Co has this rather oversized load all set to be carefully transported to a temporary location "just around the corner" to a lot on Fairview Av between the old Beach Sub overpass and the Fire Station. Since then the completion of the station's preservation has been nothing short of remarkable. It is beautiful, and well worth checking out.
It was not always smooth sailing though. So many ideas as to what to do with the structure came and went. There was talk of a Chamber of Commerce building, a bath house down on the Beach, a concession stand, and all kinds of other suggestions over the years.
In the end, the Friends of Freeman Station took charge, and a permanent foundation was poured.
When covid-19 has packed its bags and gone off into the sunset (we hope!) it would be a day well spent to visit the station on one of its' Open House days and see the remarkable job done here. Or join the group, "FOFS" (Friends of Freeman Station) and help with continuing restoration. Track is down, the grounds need work, and the organization is presently in a serious hunt for rolling stock to compliment the property. To know more about the organization...... info@freemanstation.ca
This is truly a remarkable organization that succeeded against all odds. But it is not done yet. Donations still gratefully appreciated. As is a helping hand.
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Amazing! I had to double check the date though looking at the truck looking like it’s from the 60′s! Then again some of CN’s engines…
I was down the street at the Mandarin with my ex’s family a few Years ago. Would’ve liked to pop in. Thanks for the FOFS information. There is hope in the old railway station.
So many great Railfan visits with that station back in the day, made a great photo prop. Miss spending time there. Glad it was saved.
Yeah, that Burlington West was a real hangout back in the day. Always someone there, and always the place (other than Bayview) to get updated on special trains, news and all the rest of it.
I remember making stops at this old station when i was a brakeman on the passenger trains to Sarnia, Windsor and London. LOL, sometimes the crews would get a laugh (in a good way) when we pulled into the station on a warm summer evening only to see the line up of lawn chairs and the fans enjoying the parade of trains or hoping for a “used” train order. Great memories
I can only imagine. All these “nuts”. But inward mostly all good guys, enjoying the evenings and seeing some good trains. For some reason I never cared for hanging out there, and could be found at Dundas or Niagara Falls… However, your last line says it all. Great Memories !!!
I was a member of BARF Burlington Area RAILFANS and the action could be good or down right dead
Hahahaha…thats good. The BARFers.
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