The little train that could and still can.

The present Springbank Express is a simple little train with a surprisingly rich history.

The following is based on information from CEC: Closed Canadian Parks: In 1920, a miniature steam railway was put in Springbank Park in London, Ontario. This was a streamlined train built by Louie Haddad, Bob McKewn and Bill Shearme — it supposedly only operated for one year. Apparently eventually ending up at Port Stanley Amusement Park in 1942. Where it was from 1921 to 1941, is not known.

A second train was then put into service at Springbank Park. It is believed the start-up of this second train may have been in 1923 but there is a possibility that it was actually the third miniature train to be used in the park.

It seems that Ernest George Yeates, the consulting engineer involved in developing London's water supply was also the miniature railway builder for Dundurn Park which had opened in 1888. Reportedly, that ride came to Springbank Park at some point. Perhaps it was a second train and operated in the park in 1922. This would make the 1923 train yet a third one.

This third train was a 381mm gauge steam engine built in Scotland. It ran until 1965 when it was bought by the Supertest gasoline company as a gift to the local Lion's Club whose members wanted to run it as a fund raiser. However, it was difficult to find someone to run and maintain a steam locomotive, so the engine was converted to either a diesel or a gasoline engine

The converted train ran as the "Springbank Flyer" until 1998 when a new train known as The "Springbank Express" was placed on a new 350-meter track layout and a new station was built. This was all donated by Sifton Properties as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations.

If anyone notices any errors in this history, please make a comment and I will correct the copy. I do want to get this story right.

Fall's on the way

Take a stroll through London, Ontario, and it may only be early September but leaves can be spotted turning bright yellow or red. Fall is on the way. Some whine about the cool summer but not me. It was a great summer and now I'm pumped for a great fall.

Cheers,
Rockinon

Gravel pit right in town

The Byron Gravel Pit, the sixteenth-largest gravel pit in Canada, is found in the southwest of London, Ontario. At one time, it was impossible to get so much as a glimpse of the pit but the trees blocking the view have been cut down. Now, one can see a bit of the pit from Colonel Talbot Road. The pit is on the western end of the Ingersoll Moraine, a mix of silt, sand and stony soil (till) deposited by a melting glacier about 13,000 years ago. Some estimate that the pit may remain open for another couple of decades but housing is appearing on the edge of the pit. I feel it will not be all that long before the NIMBY (not in my backyard) fight to close the pit, and put an end to the dust, begins.

Framed by colour

At first, I thought it was the colour, the green, the purple, the flashes of yellow and blue. I was on my way to the Central Library when this lady walked by. Immediately, I thought "picture." She had her head down, struggling with heavy bags in each hand. She was a green hat, wide brim hiding eyes, a bright purple top, necklace, and smile. When I saw the image, I realized that it wasn't the colour that made the picture – it was the smile.

What me worry?

It doesn't last long but at the moment Fiona gives the impression of not having a care in the world. Then again she is a little queen. Enjoy it, kid. Like I said, this moment doesn't last.

Cheers,
Rockinon

Windows Pose a Constant Danger to Birds

We heard the loud thud on the glass and wondered what had happened. Nothing was amiss outside but then we noticed the kitchen window; there was a large dusty mark in the middle of the large pane - a bird had flown into the window. Was it injured? We don't know but as there was no sign of a bird outside, it was apparently able to fly away.

The large, white, dusty spot in the middle is the body, while the wings are the diagonals. The wing tips, spreading into individual feathers, are clearly defined by the dust.

From FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Program): "If you believe that windows in general pose a serious threat to birds, you're perfectly right. Daniel Klem Jr., a biologist at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, conservatively estimates that every year over 100 million birds die as a result of hitting glass in the United States alone. Dan's studies show that glass in any form - large windows or small, in tall buildings or modest homes, even a car windshield - is a potential killer."

Monster Homes Once Called Mansions

As our daughter waited patiently to give birth, I went for a walk. The hospital, as old as it is, has some features worth photographing. But, I didn't. Instead, I walked over to Wellington Street and down Wellington to Oxford Street. This is a gorgeous street. It is one of the nicest in London. The sizes and the architecture of the homes say "story." When I read about monster homes as if big houses are something totally new, I thought of neighbourhoods like this and thought "no." The difference, and my wife agrees with me on this, when we were young we called these homes mansions. I know that my friends and I thought these big homes were cool and we wanted one. So why is it a surprise when many of those kids, and many of my childhood friends have accomplished it, grew up to own their own McMansions?