Throwback Thursday - Display Car

 

On display at the Elgin County Railway Museum on August 27, 2004 was NS Exhibit Car number 27.

By Peter Mumby.

Not that many years ago the Elgin County Railway Museum of St. Thomas, Ontario held their Railway Days open house and train show twice a year.  The spring show took place in May or June, while the summer show occurred in August.  Available for viewing inside were numerous pieces of the museum's rolling stock, along with smaller artifacts and their model railroad layout.  Modellers could also purchase supplies from a number of local vendors who were set up in the hall.  For many years, as well, the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society was in residence at ECRM and much of their equipment could be checked out.  Many of the more significant cars and locomotives were on display outdoors, and interested photographers could observe this marshalling process at around 8:00 am and again at 4:00 pm when the units were being returned indoors.  During the day, short train rides were provided both on SOLRS equipment and on trains brought in from Port Stanley Terminal Rail.  Originally the museum had access to railway connections to both CN and CP, so periodically other companies sent equipment in for display as well.  At various times, locomotives from CN, Ontario Southland, and Cando Contracting put in an appearance.  As long as the Norfolk Southern trains were running to service the St. Thomas Ford plant, NS too would contribute to this outdoor display.  Such was the case on August 27, 2004 when ECRM visitors were able to tour NS Exhibit Car number 27, as seen in today's photo.