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Caption: APRIL FOOLS! Sadly, no jokes can be made about this old lady as it sits downtown neglected. Although a brief squall developed, I wasn't planning for a full shot of the old CP station at all. It was a set of headlights in the distance that had initially caught my eye, and I had planned to hopefully shoot both passing train and work the station in. Although the train didn't come, I figured judging by the sad state that the station is in, I had better get my photos now before it's gone. The clouds, and brief snow all but adds to the mood that is the demise of once glorious architectural gems.
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Didn’t realize The Keg had moved. Would be disappointing if the station was torn down.
THIS is what the station looks like now? Gawd. I had no idea. What a shame. Nice that you got a good shot of it and let the rest of us know its sad state. I must take a drive out that way.
I hadn’t realized that the Keg had moved out either, until a couple years ago.
Arnold…yes you must! I can give the grand tour of stations in the area.
I appreciate this photo, because history has to be recorded as it happens.
The current state of the building saddens me. I was hired in this building in June of 1973. I went to this station for rules classes and for investigations following incidents, both as the employee under investigation and as a union rep for someone else being “grilled”.
CP’s London operations were carried on out of Quebec Street until the 1990s and the London depot was referred to as “downtown”, as in “watch what you’re doing, or you’ll end up downtown”. I once delivered an accident report directly to the Chief Dispatcher when London Division dispatchers still worked out of “Richmond Street”. We had struck a car with fatal consequences on the Port Burwell Sub when I was Conductor on that job in 1979.
I believe this station is designated, so technically can’t be torn down. I really hope that some use is found to revitalize the building.
I boarded the last CPR passenger train at this station. It was #338 from Windsor to Toronto. Someone else will likely remember the date, but I’m guessing it was in July 1971. The station was in good shape both inside and outside whilst being used as a Keg. It’s a shame the Keg relocated to the suburbs.
Ronald….thanks for sharing! Memories like yours are what makes this site a wealth of information to be enjoyed, both past and present. I share your sentiments, in that it is too bad it can’t be restored and put to better use.
David….yes, it is too bad about the Keg moving to the suburbs. I know the downtown area here isn’t what it used to be. Even as a kid passing through, I can still remember the railbed was double tracked…and I’m sure the old crossing tower at Richmond was still standing (early 80s), possibly…but, the Keg did do a good job outside, although I never got to experience it from the inside.