On Saturday July 12th. Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society (SOLRS) once again turned back the hands of time when it operated its St.Thomas Central Railway steam locomotive #9. This time history was again made when for the first time a steam excursion was operated over the Canadian Pacific RailwayÂ’s St. Thomas Subdivision from St. Thomas, Ontario to Ingersoll and return.

Passenger trains stopped running on the CPR long before World War II. Until September 7,1957 passenger service was only available on a Mixed (freight and passenger) train.

Canadian Pacific permitted, for the first time in decades, an organization to operate a steam excursion on its railway. The Town of Ingersoll requested the steam train for its annual Canterbury Folk Festival. The Town stepped up to make the event happen when it used its insurance to top up SOLRS policy to CPRÂ’s satisfaction.

It was branchline railroading at its best! Hand-fired coal steam locomotive hauling open window coaches on a branchline schedule at branchline speed. The fifty-mile roundtrip ran diagonally cross country crossing numerous roads, many of them dirt roads requiring frequent whistling. It just does not get much better!

On the return trip another sight of old technology was a pair of two horse wagon teams working the field next to the right-of-way.

While hundreds of people enjoyed 3 short round-trips from Ingersoll to Beachville, less than 100 passengers and members got to enjoy the best. Too bad so many missed out on this. Part of the problem was the very involved logistics and lengthy time delay to make this happen for the first time. A similar situation has plagued the St. Thomas Central as they repeatedly make history with Engine #9 "the Little Engine That Could" running over new lines. Hopefully, long term plans and agreements will allow future runs to be better promoted farther in advance in order to ensure financial success.

SOLRS moto “Bringing History to Life” says it all. Congratulations to all the hard working volunteers who made it happen.



SOLRS
oldtimetrains@rrmail.com