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Caption: That is a rather dressy looking old CP station visible across the icy winter waters of Trout Creek in downtown St. Marys. No doubt it is because a town electrician is taking up shop there. By the time this image was snapped, the station had outlived its usefulness other than a convenient office for local train crews. As in most localities located at the end of steel back then, a switcher and caboose take up residence when not in use. This view features CP 8147 as well as an old paint style caboose, number unknown. The line to St. Marys is now gone, save for an industrial mile or so back at the Galt sub connection at Zorra, having been removed in 1995. I understand the station is long gone as well. Anyone know when, or why? According to CTG, the 8147 was sold to Progress Rail back in 1999.
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Great shot Arnold! Man…for no longer being used by the railway the station looks great! And of course with the switcher and caboose….just adds to that moment of what once was is now lost forever….
Thanks, Todd. I keep wondering where that white on dark blue porcelain namesign went to. Those were a real prize.
This is quaint. Great you walked across the river for a shot, not many would have done this!
My mom’s family is from St. Mary’s. My uncle (back in the ’50′s) would often be with friends out of town and hop the CP back into town.
Trout Creek was above the dam. Your looking at The Thames River. “The Electrician” you mentioned was my Father. We moved into the house to the left in 1971. He was supposed to tear the station down but never did and used it for his workshop. The station sign…well, it’s hanging in my train room. It was given away in 1981 as a Retirement gift for a CPR VP out west who started his career as Station Agent in St Marys. Long story short….I have the sign back.
Always looking for more photos of that station. I spent many years within it’s walls. Just never had the inclination to take more photos. Thanks for posting this photo.
Remarkable story. It is so amazing to see that viewers on this site have such connections with some of these photos. Thanks for the correction re: waters, and it is great to know such a beautiful station namesign survives. So I am guessing the old wooden station was at the end of its’ days? Looks too nice to pull down, and certainly would have made a fantastic train room.
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When my Father passed away in 1982, my Mother didn’t want to deal with the station and it was decided to tear it down. Some of the doors were purchased and still are in use at one of the downtown merchant’s store. The main timbers in the roof were used to build an implement shed south of town. Someone built the old station master’s desk and 1 or 2 baggage carts that were sold at Auction around that time too. If I had the resources and space, I would have saved it all.
Thank you very much for the (sad) information.
Demise of railroad stations is one lot of info I seem to have a lot of trouble finding on the ‘net.