Waterford Railway Stations

Location: Waterford, Townsend Township, Norfolk County
Name: Community named in 1826 after a place of the same name on the Hudson River in New York
Former Community Names: Averills Mills, Sovereigns Mills, Loderville
Railway Companies: CASO, TH&B/CPR, LE&N/CPR

Part A – Canada Southern Railway/Michigan Central Railway/CNR-CPR

Original Railway: Canada Southern Railway (New York Central Railway/Michigan Central Railway 1878, New York Central Railway 1914, Penn Central Railway 1968, Conrail 1976, Canadian National Railway/Canadian Pacific Railway 1985) 1873 – 2006
Current/Final Railway: Canadian National Railway/Canadian Pacific Railway
Location/Address: The station was located at 121 Alice St at Washington St (the building may have originally sat two blocks east before being moved in the early years of the century)
Railway Mileage: East Canada Division Mile 79.23
Surrounding Building Context: The community was founded as a rural agricultural centre where several mills were developed on local waterways. The arrival of the Canada Southern Railway in 1873 did inject some industrial employment into town. The station was located just to the west of the commercial centre of the community, and was a joint/union facility with the TH&B upon its arrival in 1889. The existence of several ponds and water features required both lines to construct bridge and associated earth works in passing through, in particular the LE&N that arrived last in 1914. The convergence of three lines into the community created a transportation hub with a number of interconnections between the lines and area industries. CASO railway facilities included a water tower, coal tower, and a freight shed.

Station Origin: Original station

Construction Date: The building was constructed with the opening of the line in 1873 by the Canada Southern Railway. Combined use with the Brantford, Waterloo & Lake Erie Railway (soon taken over by the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway) began in 1889
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Station Style: CSR Type Four
Exterior Architecture Details: The building was a single storey frame structure with a long gable roof that contained a centre cross gable dormer above a hexagonal operator window
Interior Architectural Details: The station contained a passenger waiting room, ticket/operator office, and a large freight/express room
Landscaping & Ground Details: Cinder platform
Building Costs: Unknown
Destruction Date: Not applicable
Current Use: With the end of service in the 1980’s, the building was purchased from the railway by the Waterford Chamber of Commerce who began restoration work. It was subsequently bought by the Waterford & Townsend Historical Society, who made arrangements to lease the building out to tenants. Occupants soon included a day care operation and cafe. Since 2007,the building has been occupied by a retail operation known as Quilt Junction
Designations: The building was designated under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act as per City of Nanticoke By-law 39-88 on April 19, 1988

Part B – Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway/Canadian Pacific Railway

Original Railway: Brantford, Waterloo & Lake Erie 1885 (Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway 1892, Canadian Pacific Railway 1987) 1889 – 1989
Current/Final Railway: Canadian Pacific Railway
Location/Address: Station facilities were located at the 121 Alice St CASO station at Washington St
Railway Mileage: Waterford Subdivision Mile 0.0
Surrounding Building Context: See above for general Waterford information. The termination of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway at the Canada Southern Railway provided for secure east-west connections both within the Province and to American borders/ports at Detroit and Buffalo. In Waterford, the line chose to make arrangements with the CASO to share their station versus constructing a new one. This arrangement lasted the entire time that the two railways were operational in the community. TH&B railway facilities included a two stall engine shed and several yard tracks to allow for the interchange of cars.

Part C – Lake Erie & Northern Railway/Canadian Pacific Railway

Original Railway: Lake Erie & Northern Railway 1911 (Canadian Pacific Railway 1915) 1914 – 1989
Current/Final Railway: Canadian Pacific Railway
Location/Address: The station was located at the west end of Nichol St W
Railway Mileage: LE&N Mileage 36.72
Surrounding Building Context: See above for general Waterford information. The LE&N line was a late comer to the Waterford railway scene, only arriving in 1914. The route provided frequent eclectic interurban passenger and freight service north to Brantford and other large industrial related communities in the Grand River valley. The service south to Port Dover ran in competition with the GTR/CNR line. The station was located just east of the commercial centre of the community, at the south end of a high bridge that passed over various water features along with the CASO and TH&B (Black Bridge). Several interchange tracks provided connections to the other two lines. Railway facilities included a freight shed.

Station Origin: Original station

Construction Date: The building was constructed with the opening of the line in 1914 by the Lake Erie & Northern Railway
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Station Style: To be determined
Exterior Architecture Details: The building was a single storey frame building with a hip roof that contained a track facing gable over a rectangular operator bay. Each end contained extended platform overhangs for passenger comfort
Interior Architectural Details: The station contained a passenger waiting room, ticket/operator office, and a small freight/express room
Landscaping & Ground Details: Cinder platform
Building Costs: Unknown
Destruction Date: The station was removed, likely with the end of passenger service in the early 1960’s
Current Use: Not applicable
Designations: Not applicable