|
Caption: Returning from a run to the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, Ontario Rail Association's ex CPR D10h number 1057 is seen southbound (timetable eastbound) crossing Woolwich Street and Speedvale Avenue in Guelph. Just a few years prior to this, Speedvale Avenue marked the northernmost city limit of Guelph, and the Co-op seen in the background would be "out in the country." Note the "City Limit" sign in this 1954 view.
The short stub siding at right on the east side of the Goderich subdivision mainline served the privately owned freight shed at far right (seen here at centre in 1976). The shed served a number of small cartage firms and rail service was seen sporadically over the years. Behind the train, the rooftop sign of the local Esso station is seen, which today remains an empty lot. Across Woolwich Street, Root Home Centre (part of Home Hardware Stores) can be seen. Now home to the Rexall Pharmacy, the site originally housed a Loblaws Supermarket.
Looming over the whole scene (including the smokestack at left) is the sprawling United Dairy Producer's Co-operative (officially Gay Lea by this time). Originally constructed in 1949 (silos circa 1960), the Co-op was built on farmland owned by Guelph-born Operatic tenor, and later manager of the Metropolitan Opera of New York City, Edward Johnson (1878 - 1959), with the land having been sold in 1947 to the United Co-operative of Ontario. The Co-op would be renamed United Dairy and Poultry Co-operative in 1958, and later the United Dairy Producer's Co-operative in 1967. In 1972, the organization was renamed Gay Lea Foods, which still operates the site today as one of only 5 facilities in Ontario owned by the co-operative of over 1,200 dairy farmers* (*per 2010 Guelph Mercury article). The towering feed mill silos would be demolished in the 1990s and a processing plant built in it's place.
Note the "Danger Bell" sign used at Speedvale Avenue in this 1954 image. The box above the crossbuck would illuminate the word "DANGER" with approaching trains. Another was located at the Concession 11 crossing just south of Corwhin, known by crews as "Danger Bell".
A boxcar is seen on the stub siding in 1954. Note the sign at centre which would be the northern mileboard for Guelph.
Bruce Lowe Photo, Eric Repaci Collection Slide.
|
Wow, that 1954 shot is a beauty for sure. Would love to have the old Ford shoebox on the used car lot.
I was on that trip! Great fun until we had injector problems but it was steam so nobody really worried as long as we all got home, which we did.
Great photo, I recall those fan trips as I was working as a spareboard brakeman on the London Division then. Regarding the 1954 photo, if one looks closely, you see the crossing signal is the old “Danger Bell” style. When I started in 1973, there was one between Guelph Jct & Guelph & no others on the division. They are long gone now. The crossing I mentioned was referred to as “the danger bell crossing” by crews. I first noticed it when Don Broadbear pointed it out as we headed to Goderich from Hamilton.