THE OLD RAILWAY
OUR LOCAL HIStoRY
Information from Stories and Memories of the London-Huron & Bruce Railway 1870-1990 (1990).
"Along the gravelly cinder paths of empty ways
Deserted and unkempt weedy roadbeds stand.
Where long shining tracks of Steel once lay
'Tis now but a dirty stained ribbon of wasted land.
Unseen and untold by millions, who rush frantically by
And ride not on hard steel, but soft cushions of air.
They are too young to know where the old routes lie
And of today's generation, have no need to care.
Adjacent to crowded freeways on which they go
Are the long forgotten roadways of yesteryear.
On whose rails mighty locomotives sped to and fro
Drive by the brave who mixed knowledge with fear.
Where proudly stood the old frame station
Bare ground remains, with stories to tell
Of local youth travelling across our vast nation
Seeking fame and fortune and fighting wars of hell.
Long, long whistle blasts, with the clangings of bell
Echoing through dales and across hills far away,
were the sounds tired plowmen learned to tell
when to head homeward near the end of day.
The giant engines are gone; the aged plowmen are few
Both now released from their grimy hours of toil,
Replaced by technology, deemed so wise and new
Which one day itself, will be buried deep in the soil"
- Calvin M. Patrick
The London-Huron-Bruce Railway
1871
February 15, 1871 "The London-Huron & Bruce Railway" was incorporated to construct a railway from London to Goderich or Kincardine.
1875
The final spike was driven at the northern end on December 11, 1875. The line was ready for freight service December 31, 1875.
1876
The line constructed from Hyde Park Junction to Wingham officially opened for traffic. On January 11, 1876, the Ceremonial Train left London for Wingham, loading individuals into coaches for the celebratory ride.
1879
1879 Huron County Atlas sited the L-H&B the best paying road in the Dominion of Canada.
Personnel travelled daily along the line to attend work.
Freight trains shipped farm equipment, lumber, coal, feed, farm supplies, locally produced grain, grain products, livestock, sugar beets, corn and beans. Carloads of these commodities left the area on a regular basis.
1882
The London-Huron & Bruce Railway Company formed part of the Great Western Railway Company when the latter company was amalgamated with the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada on August 12, 1882
1939 - 1945
During the war years, the L-H&B moved thousands of service personnel to and from Air Force Bases at Centrailia and Clinton, as well as moving miliatry equipment and supplies
1940
In December 1940, Municipalities from Clinton to Wingham, a 24 mile section, were informed that this section of the rail was to be abandoned.
1941
CN locomotive #1318 heading Train #603 completed the final passenger run from Clinton to Wingham on April 26, 1941.
2023
The Old Railway Popcorn Company grows popcorn alongside the abandoned portion of the railway.
Previously, passengers would have waved to loved ones as the train pulled away. Now, our fields of tall corn stalks wave in their place, whispering stories of days gone by.
When you taste our popcorn, you taste the history, heritage, and passion that we put into every batch.
Join us as we celebrate the memories of days gone by, and look forward to the future with every delicious bite.