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.”

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.

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.

 

~Bella