Meaford Railway Stations

Location: Meaford, St. Vincent Township, Grey County
Name: Community named in 1858 for Meaford Hall in Staffordshire England, the birthplace of naval hero John Jervis, Earl of St. Vincent (name of the Township)
Former Community Names: Peggy’s Landing, St. Vincent, Stephenson’s Landing, Purdytown
Railway Companies: NRC/CNR

Part A – North Grey Railway/Grand Trunk Railway/Canadian National Railway

Original Railway: North Grey Railway 1871 (Northern Extension Railway 1872, Northern Railway of Canada 1875, Northern & North Western Railway 1879, Grand Trunk Railway 1888, Canadian National Railway 1923) 1872 – 1985
Current/Final Railway: Canadian National Railway
Railway Mileage: Meaford Subdivision Mile 52.15
Surrounding Building Context: Meaford is located on the southern shores of Georgian Bay, at the mouth of the Bighead River. The community served as the terminus of the line when the railway arrived in 1872, allowing it to develop into a regional industrial centre and a fishing port. In addition, the town served as a tourism point and access to a military installation (Meaford Tank Range). The initial station grounds were located on the southern edge of the community, and then relocated at the turn of the century to the harbour. Factories manufactured a range of products that included flooring, furniture and wheelbarrows (see map for details). Railway facilities included a range of terminal facilities such as an office and freight shed, a two stall locomotive shed (later reduced to one), turntable, 60,000 galleon water tower, coal platform, bunkhouses (former box cars), stock pens and scales, and coal sheds.

Station Origin: Original station

Location/Address: The station along with a yard and terminal buildings were originally located on lands bounded by Paul Street, Union Street, Farrar Street, Burton Street and James Crescent, just west of Sykes Street (Highway 26) in the south side of town. The area was known as “Station Hill”
Construction Date: The building was constructed with the opening of the line in November 1872 by the North Grey Railway (Northern Railway of Canada)
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Station Style: To be determined
Exterior Architecture Details: The building was a single storey frame building with a hip roof that featured an overhang supported by large brackets
Interior Architectural Details: The station contained a passenger waiting room, ticket and operator office, and a large freight/express room
Landscaping & Ground Details: Cinder platform
Building Costs: Unknown
Destruction Date: Building replaced by new structure in 1901 along the waterfront, and subsequently taken out of service. The disposition of the original building is unknown. The former station grounds are now occupied by detached homes and the aforementioned Station Hill Park
Current Use: Not applicable
Designations: Not applicable

Station Origin: Second station

Location/Address: The new station was constructed at the end of a new spur line that extended north towards the harbour (east side), on the west side of Bridge Street. From this location, it was able to serve better the harbour area and surrounding industries
Construction Date: The building was constructed in 1901 by the Grand Trunk Railway
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Station Style: To be determined, may have been unique to the community
Exterior Architecture Details: The building was a single storey frame structure with a complex hip roof that featured an ornate corner tower, and track facing rectangular operator window below a gable dormer. A portion of the roof extended out over the end wall as an open shelter
Interior Architectural Details: The station contained a passenger waiting room, ticket and operator office, and a freight/express room
Landscaping & Ground Details: Cinder platform
Building Costs: Unknown
Destruction Date: Regular passenger service ended in 1960. The station was demolished in 1965. Train service into Meaford ended in October 1982. An old freight shed remains in the same area. The former rail line was converted to the multi-use Georgian Trail in 1989 from Collingwood to Meaford
Current Use: Not applicable
Designations: Not applicable