From DetroitPast Trips

Train Aficionado’s Destination: St. Thomas, Ontario

A must see destination for any train collector is St. Thomas, Ontario located just about a half an hour from London.

This city is very proud of its railway history as evidenced in its nickname “The Railway City.”

Welcome to the Railway City-St. Thomas

Throughout the city, one will see murals paying tribute to the city’s railway history.

The city was an important stop on the Michigan Central Railroad that went from Chicago to New York City.

The original train station is now restored and open for free tours and now named The North American Railway Hall of Fame.

Facade of the restored station
Men’s waiting area
Restored dining hall
Original door leading to the bar storage area
Bar restored
Upstairs hallway

St. Thomas does have it’s share of infamy.  In 1885, the circus was passing through town.  One evening, Jumbo the elephant escaped and was killed on the train tracks.

Today there is a life sized statue in the town paying tribute to Jumbo.

Just behind the old railway station, is the Elgin County Railway Museum. The museum is filled with various historic vehicles that rode the rails back in the day.

 

Type of cart used to transfer luggage to the trains
An old hand car
A type of motorcar

Bicycles that fit across the tracks
Caboose
Main area of the caboose
One of two additional beds in the caboose
Stove inside the caboose

Freight car
Big wheels
Engine
Look at the length of that engine
Where the coal was shoveled into
Various controls
More controls

Passenger car

~Bella

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