London bids farewell to railway landmark

Old C.N.R. station, built in 1859, goes into hands of wreckers today

Staff

London, Ont., Aug. 14.—One of the earliest, or what was once known as Upper Canada, will be given into the hands of the wreckers tomorrow at noon.

The old London Canadian National Station which has stood four square against the years for more than eight decades will be abandoned when the Intercity Limited pulls out of the terminals 12.20 o'clock in the afternoon.

Mayor G. A. Wenige has signified his intention to being present to bid farewell to the Intercity as a last gesture to an ancient friend of Londoners, now on the landslide of time.

Constructed, originally, in 1854, the stout brick station has seen at least three generations of citizens pass through its brick portals. The original building, built by the engineers of the old Great Western Railway, consisted of a waiting room, concourse and railway offices, the latter situated on the second floor.

When the amalgamation took place with the Grand Trunk System, additional wings were added to the original structure. This work was done possibly half a century ago, and the building has stood as a relic of other days since.

Has seen every motive power.

Railwaymen in bidding farewell to the elderly structure, commented upon the fact, that this station has seen every motive power and coach innovation take place from the time that the first train to the international border was operated. When it was opened the small wood burner locomotives were bravely steaming through a pioneer country. Their great balloon smoke-stacks belched forth cinders and sparks, while gains [sic] of sectionmen followed behind and stamped out fires that might have started upon the right-of-way.

With the roadway fringed by forests a fire might have done inestimable damage. Subsequently the station saw the locomotives transformed to coal burners, and the era of the diamond smoke-stack begin. Later, this was abandoned, and the tall stack with a forced draft was substituted, and then came the fast steam engines of today. In all, the station has seen locomotives change from the pigmies, weighing but fifty tons, to the mammoths that now tip the scales at 340 tons.

Born into ox cart era.

It was the same with general human progress. In 1854, the old station was born into a leisurely era of the ox car, and the decline of the Empire gown. The democrat and buggy and the crinoline took its place, Later came the motor car and the short skirts. Today, when it passes from the affairs of the city. there is the fast train, the truck and motor bus and the aeroplane is now trying its wings in commercial competition.

Truly a great stretch covered in Canadian history.

Veteran news agent.

Not the least interested observer of the move will be Thomas Pinch, news agent. Mr. Pinch commenced his duties in 1876, and for almost sixty years has sold papers from a single stand. Yesterday he was disturbed, his magazines, tobacco and other supplies were moved out to a table, set in the waiting-room, while alien hands tore at the friendly walls of his booth. Tomorrow these same hands will take pick and axe and proceed to tear down the walls of the building that he knew so well and labored within so long.

New modern station

But out of the chaos of the present will emerge a new station that will be symbolic of London's commercial greatness. The new building, upon which active construction work commenced on Nov. 2 last, will occupy approximately the same location as the old one, and will be the last word in railway architecture. It will contain large and roomy concourse and waiting-room underground, which have already been excavated, while ramps will lead to the main passenger tracks. The main entrance vestibule, on the ground level, will lead to the business or office facilities of the station, which will be flanked by wings accommodating the express warehouse, baggage rooms, customs offices, and various other departmental offices.

Of a modern classic design, the building will be practically of all stone, with wings of brick and stone dressing. Only Canadian materials will be used in the construction.

Railways: C.N.Rys.

Stations: London

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