Back in August we also went to Collingwood and decided to stop and see the museum. We had arranged to meet my cousin for a quick visit out on the pier in Collingwood, but as we left town she sent an urgent message 'No! No! It's next week not this week!' Well, we were already in the car so we decided to drive to Collingwood anyway, and make an outing of it, which we did. We did eventually meet her the next week.
The Collingwood Museum is actually the old train station - alas but it was closed that day. Never-the-less we looked around outside and enjoyed ourselves. Some interesting things to see.
The old Northern Railway ran north from Toronto through Stayner, Collingwood and Thornbury to Meaford where it ended right down at the harbour. Most of it is the Georgian Trail today. I've always thought that Meaford, even the Meaford Museum, totally neglects the railway as part of its history, so I was glad to see the emphasis on the railway here.
They have three actual boxcars sitting on a siding beside the museum where the original train line was located. The Northern started life as the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron railway and changed its name after only a few years. In those early years its nickname was the 'Oats, Straw and Hay' line, for all the farm produce it carried. Oats was a much more important crop in the days of horses.
The station has the very typical architecture of all railway stations of that era, with a wide overhand with curved supporting arches, to protect passengers and luggage waiting outside.
We were surprised to see the local War Memorial here too, a modern version only 20 years old, unusual for small town Ontario. It's black granite walls remind me very much of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.
There was also an information plaque outside, telling the story of the railway's freight yards, which were the backbone of this line. Freight (including the oats, straw and hay) moved both directions here, with farm produce from further south being loaded onto boats and grain from the region being loaded to head for Toronto.
The freight yards extended from south of the station right out onto the pier where the freighters could dock; most of the land where the freight yards stood has now been built on. There was both a water tower and a turntable. I'm looking forward to returning when it's open to learn more.
I can't leave without pointing out this CORRECT disabled parking spot. It allows for a ramp to be extended from the vehicle, and a wheelchair to drive off the end safely. At least 8 feet is required to get it right!
The vast majority of the disabled parking spots I see are way too small.
ReplyDeleteWe spent time today by an old caboose and a speeder from the old CN line here. Love that history. My grandfather and his siblings were railway men, engineers, conductors on the Newfoundland railway. Guess it’s in my blood.
Beautiful station architecture.
ReplyDeleteYeah… I can’t imagine a proper disabled parking spot here in London. Many parking places are too narrow for big modern cars. In Switzerland a lot of spaces have been widened in recent years. Not here.
How is your pain these days? I hope you are better than you were.
I have rarely seen such a wide handicapped parking spot. I can see why they should be a lot wider than they generally are.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to make a museum in that lovely old train station.
I did so enjoy reading the history of the railroad. Years ago the yards were so basic but no doubt served the purpose very well .Handicapped park places, here they are narrow, just slightly wider than a normal car park, and you wouldn't be able to unload anything sideways.
ReplyDeleteThe architecture of the train station is wonderful. Love it.
ReplyDeleteDon't usually see such nice wide handicapped parking spaces. Can see why this is an ideal size!
A beautiful building. I saw a wheelchair user depart out the rear doors this morning at a voting station.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that such a train line existed. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a parking space that wide but it certainly makes sense.
Good for you! Once you are geared up and ready to go, you might as well! I enjoyed that trip.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many towns use the old railway station as a library. Petrolia, where I taught for a decade, did this. Here, the old station housed the library temporarily during the remodeling of their usual digs.
ReplyDeleteI recognized that style of roof arches right away when I saw them and I remember them from the train station in my home town of Tavistock Ontario. The design of the Meaford railway station was very similar to the one in Tavistock. I remember the steam engines of that era. With the Meaford Museum closed for the day it will give you a reason for another enjoyable day trip.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame the museum wasn't opened, but there was certainly a lot to see in the area around it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting nicknames for the railway. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the curved overhang as well.
About the Correct parking? Yahoo! Good to see and nice of you to recognize it in your blog.
I do like the architecture of the railway station, lovely photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
The old station appears to be in excellent condition. The railroad's nickname reminds me of one of the Railroads in Pennsylvania, the New York, Ontario & western which was called the Old and Weary.
ReplyDeleteNow that's the way they should make ALL the disabled spots. :-)
ReplyDeletewe are getting "older" sometimes we get the dates wrong!! beautiful pictures today. the van in the disabled spot is a great reminder for how ALL disabled spots should be!! and to add to that, i see way too many people parked in disabled spots that do not have tags and are not disabled. i have confronted too many people and have received some pretty scary reactions!! now, i leave them notes!!!
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