A historic 110-year-old train station embarked on a significant journey on Thursday, being transported by a flatbed truck to its new location three kilometers away in Thamesford, Ont. The decommissioned Canadian National Railway station, constructed in 1915, had been meticulously preserved for over five decades at a private residence in Zorra Township. It was carefully loaded onto a truck and relocated to its new home at Morris Insurance, a nearby business on the 23rd Line.
The relocation process commenced early in the morning at Kathy Byway’s residence, whose late husband acquired the station in the 1970s. Sheldon Morris, the new owner and president of Morris Insurance, oversaw the operation as a specialized crew lifted the building off its foundation and onto the truck, describing it as a unique and unforgettable experience.
Sheldon Morris, hailing from a family of collectors with a history of preserving old cars, expressed his enthusiasm for becoming the station’s new custodian. After receiving approval from Byway, who was pleased to entrust the building to someone committed to its upkeep following her husband’s passing, the relocation journey began. It took approximately three hours to navigate the station out of Byway’s driveway before embarking on a slow journey up Line 23, with a Hydro One crew accompanying the truck to handle power lines and tree branches along the route.
Despite encountering minor damages during the move and the necessity to remove chimneys due to structural concerns, Morris reassured that these issues would be promptly addressed to restore the station to its original condition. The building’s significance dates back to 1915 when it replaced the original station destroyed by fire, serving the community of Thorndale until its closure in the late 1950s. It played a crucial role in facilitating rail and agricultural activities in the area, enabling the transportation of goods, produce, and livestock to neighboring towns.
The Byway family, known for their passion for preserving historical structures and railway artifacts, diligently maintained the station’s authenticity while operating an informal museum on their property, featuring other vintage items like a wooden caboose and a general store from the 1800s. Morris expressed his commitment to continuing this legacy by prominently showcasing the station at the Morris Insurance premises, where they frequently host events such as car shows. He extended an open invitation to the community to utilize the building for events or tours, emphasizing the importance of preserving its historical significance for future generations.
