Strathroy kids train 'back on track' by weekend says founder
Volunteers vow they will get a children’s miniature railroad back on track despite its station being struck by a car.
The Sleepy Hollow Railway House on Metcalfe Street next to the West Middlesex Memorial Centre was hit at about 3:30 a.m. Monday.
A photo posted by the Strathroy-Caradoc Police Service shows a vehicle inside the museum and rail car storage area of the building. Officers have charged a youth, under the age of 18, with impaired driving.
The railway has been operated by the Strathroy Model Engineers (SME) for the past five years providing up to 10,000 rides a season.
Surveying the damage, founding member Anthony Clark was in disbelief.
"Shock! Definitely a shock," he told CTV London. "Just unreal what could have happened. Luckily, it was during the middle of the night and none of our guys were here. And, I mean, it could have been much, much worse."
Clark stands outside the museum on Tuesday (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Clark is thankful the crash did not happen during the day when as many as two trains carrying children are in operation.
He and other members face the long task of repairing multiple cars damaged in the collision. Many are handmade, and among them is a caboose made by Clark's father Anthony, which took six months to build.
"Nothing that we see so far is beyond repair. It's going to be a lot of work and imagination for doing some of this. But yeah, like I say, I thought I expected to find a total loss."
Damage is estimated at up to $15,000, but Clark says the good news is the 900 ft. of track and the primary engines were not damaged. He predicts trains will run again this coming Saturday, albeit with far fewer riding cars for children.
That reality is hard to take for SME member Alan Johnson.
"There's a real personal attachment to a lot of the cars in here. So, that really hurts. And we just we just love running them. So, not being able to run when we want to, that's tough."
Still, SME members are thankful the municipality is stepping in to secure the station quickly.
Johnson aboard one of the museum's model trains (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
"We'll have this building repaired, that is the outside of the building repaired, by the end of the week", said Rob Lilbourne, the community services director of Strathroy-Caradoc. "It will be to the point where you probably won't even notice that something happened if you come this weekend for rib fest."
That's welcome news for mother and care provider Tanya Cook. She was among the first members of the public to see the aftermath damage Tuesday morning.
Trying to find a positive in the loss, she pointed out that the attention gained from the crash would increase its popularity in the region.
"But I mean, it's good that people can see that we have this here. I'm sure they'll rebuild, and, you know, it'll be back better than ever!"
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'No one has $70,000 dollars lying around': Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico, could intensify as a hurricane threatening Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. It is located 220 miles (355 kilometres) north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico.
Trump rallies at same Pennsylvania grounds where gunman tried to assassinate him
Donald Trump picked up where he left off back in July when a gunman tried to assassinate him but only struck his ear before he raised his fist and shouted “Fight!” and was whisked away with blood across his face.
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
Northwestern Ont. woman charged with arson with disregard for human life
A 30-year-old northwestern Ontario woman has been charged with arson following a structure fire Thursday night, police say.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi draws a crowd for arrival at Toronto's BMO Field
Argentine star Lionel Messi was on the bench to start Inter Miami CF's game in Toronto on Saturday.
Looking for cheap flights for the holidays? Here are some tips to remember
Travelling on a budget can be stressful, but there are ways you can ensure you're getting the best deal on flights as the holiday season approaches.