Lindsay & District Model Railroaders Inc.

Here by permission is the full Lindsay Post article by Jason Bain that covered the event:

LINDSAY - July 24, 2009 - After two decades of sitting in storage, the Stelco 40 locomotive has found a permanent home in Lindsay. And its guardians couldn't be happier since the Tuesday relocation of the steam engine is the first step in creating what is quickly becoming known as Lindsay's railway heritage centre.

The ambition is that the display in Memorial Park on Lindsay Street South will not only pay homage to Lindsay's proud railroad history, but become a key tourism attraction. "The potential at this point is awesome," said Russ Moore of the Lindsay and District Model Railroaders, who have long lobbied for action to preserve parts of the area's rail legacy.

The Stelco 40, which came to Lindsay in 1989 from the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, has sat in a wooden enclosure at Old Mill Park for nearly a decade. On Tuesday, Pollard the Mover crews moved the 83-ton engine up Kent Street East and down Lindsay Street South to its new home on a set of tracks beside the existing CN diesel engine and boxcar. The entire event was like "Christmas in July," Moore said, adding how he was "pleasantly surprised" at the number of spectators.

At any given point along the route, dozens stood roadside with camera in hand while others just stood in their doorways and watched the massive machine pulled by on a trailer with a police escort. "When you put a smile on someone's face," he trailed off before apologizing for the inconvenience to motorists.

The relocation is a result of a mayor with some vision and the support of councillors like Gord James and David Hodgson who see the train display as part of the municipality's long-term plans, Moore said. "All of a sudden, the lights went on for everybody," he said.

City of Kawartha Lakes council has committed $100,000 from the 2009 budget towards the restoration of Lindsay's train displays, including the relocation and cosmetic restoration of the Stelco 40. That money also covered the cost of the replacement Canadian National caboose and sprucing up the existing diesel engine and boxcars already on display in Memorial Park. Improved security measures to prevent further acts of vandalism are also in the budget.

The wooden Canadian National caboose previously on display in the park was badly damaged by fire on May 6, 2008. A 13-year-old was arrested at the scene and charged with mischief and arson.

At some point in the not-so-distant future, the washrooms in Memorial Park will need to be replaced, Moore said. A new building could be one of significant cultural importance. Something that has been talked about for the park is a recreation of Lindsay's Union Station, the second station built in town by the Midland Railway at Victoria Avenue and Melbourne Street. It could house the washrooms and a display for tourism information. In other words, Lindsay Street South could be the gateway and the display could be the gatehouse.

As the custodians and reconstruction consultants for the display, the model railroaders have committed to apply for the grants and get the community support necessary to make it all happen. Local youth clubs, for example, are encouraged to help out with the restoration efforts. "If we can get them to buy into the ownership of the trains, there will be less vandalism," Moore said. One local contractor has already offered his services, he added, thanking the community for their support thus far.

Even the tracks the Stelco was laid on have a local tie. They were donated by Rona after low-speed section of rail known as a siding was discovered behind the business. Likely overlooked because they were on private property, they have been buried for more than 50 years. "They looked like they were just laid yesterday," Moore said.

The railroaders are searching for rail ends that also have a local connection. A company called Sylvester Steel once made them. It used to be located where the downtown Tim Horton's now sits.

Anyone interested in supporting the railway heritage centre project is encouraged to contact the Lindsay & District Model Railroaders at ldmrclub@hotmail.com

Footnote:

As it turned out, this happy occasion was subsequently marred by some senseless vandalism only a week after the engine and caboose had been installed at their new location. It was quickly repaired, but there has been a lot of public outrage, and the installation of security measures, while part of the plan from the outset, has now unfortunately become a priority.