|
Caption: The Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway built their station in what once was the industrial area for Brantford. The tracks once served the many industries...while passengers would arrive or depart the birthplace of Alexander Graham Bell.
Today, all industries that were once served by the railway are gone. The Casino sits in it's place. The tracks - although overgrown mainly by weeds now...are still in place. There is only a spur that the SOR services for one lone customer. But for how much longer?
As for the station, it sat abandoned. Like many others in this position, it was vandalized and suffered fire damage to it's roof. However, it was saved - and became at one point the Iron Horse Restaurant. A new roof and addition to the back of the station doubled it's size.
However, the station sits vacant again. There have been at least two more restaurants after the Iron Horse, and even a night club at one point occupied the station. All unsuccessful, much like most businesses in this area of Erie Avenue in Brantford.
|
Pretty sad to say. And the current GTHB Spur (part of the ex Waterford Sub) that ran from the TH&B station to Johnson SC & Sons in Landsdowne Park was ripped only a few months ago. The track now ends just west of Clarence Street, so there no longer is track at the station unfortunately.
Daniel, the TH&B ran to the river then crossed. There was a diamond there for the LE&N which used to continue south -the track that follows the river to Johnsons was in fact ex LE&N track (CP Simcoe sub)
It might be ‘sad’ but it’s also just the way things are – look at any other single customer branchlines – here today gone tomorrow. Shoot what you can when you can !
The old LE&N was pulled up late last Fall, I want to say September/October ish
The station is just West of Clarence. Did they not at least keep the run around as they used it every once in a while? – at least CN did.
The LE&N and TH&B rails were lifted as far as Clarence Street South between October and December last year, so the run-around track is long since gone. I’ll post a photo or two of the removal sometime if I think about it.
I meant to say the section by the station was part of the Waterford, not the spur. My mistake. At least Ingenia cared enough to buy the rest of the current Burford Spur and east leg of the GTHB. Does Brantford still have plans to widen Clarence Street? I see that the GTHB can be extended out to Cainsville to merge with the Hagersville Sub, but would require a new bridge and removal of the grade separation at Colborne Street and the Hagersville. Probably would be way too expensive though, and I’m sure Brantford isn’t desperate to get rid of it as it’s not a mainline as in the case of Niagara Falls with CP.