In my small town of Thamesville, the original train station, built in 1910, by the Great Western Railway, is still standing. It was originally painted “box car red”, but has be repainted a yellow colour. The station is at the moment falling apart, and I’d like to save it and turn it into a museum. I’ve also seen pics in books of this station and it is VERY NICE LOKKING, but you can tell now…[:'(] I, seeing as I’ve only convinced a small amount of adults to help, need help from a better source. So, I’d like to see what you guys think I should do. Here’s some pics. (also, the foundation for the water tower is still in place, maybe replace could be built)
Also, my little town doesn’t have much going for it…stores are closing faster than they open, people are moving away, we’ve lost our two largest factories, and there is not much sense of community in this town anymore. I’d like to get my town involved in something as a community project.
Also, Thamesville is ALWAYS referred to as ONE BIG FAMILY in all the books about my small community, but that is lost now…
Help! I just heard the owner may tear it down!!![:'(]
You might try organizing a model railroad club which could take over the station for the purpose of building a layout for display and operation. If there are enough model railroaders around the station could be a focus for activities and a place to go and spend time during those long winter evenings.
Yes, I thought of that, but what do I do to keep it going? A layout in the basement will only last so long…There are quite a few modelers in my area, most of them HO modelers, but I can’t really see how it will last…maybe a paid admission to a train show in the basement?
I can will be able to find donations easily, but once it is finished, I don’t know where to get the funds to keep the place open for too too long, any ideas?
Also, when walking by the station the other day, I discovered that there is a wood stove (fire place in Canadian)and a washroom. That would make it a good spot.
Hey, I used to live nearby just west of Kent Bridge when I was a kid. I always rmember the train whistles at night and walking along the bridge in the daytime. Anyway, you might put an ad in the local paper or better yet, write a story about the station’s history and what it meant to the community to stir up some interest. Papers like those kind of things and they’ll run a story for free. You can also approach town council with your thoughts and ideas to see if you can gain any support there. Talk to the county museum about its history and how you might look for help, volunteers or grants. Find out who your area Trillium grant representative is and talk with them about what is needed to get a grant from the government. Talk to some other historical groups, whether it is planes, cars, trains, boats, etc. for some ideas. You’ll have to put a lot of work in and it can be discouraging, but if you pull it off you’ll have accomplished something very big. Good luck!