Written By Jan Sims
KOMOKA - The Komoka Railway Museum is hoping to get donors “all aboard” a new fundraising drive.
The Museum, which is located on Queen St. in Komoka, is asking for help to finance several projects. They’re hoping to raise $15,000 to pay for ground and site work to repatriate former Komoka rail sheds. As well, $20,000 is needed for complete deck and walkway replacement work.
A further $11,500 has been budgeted to relocate a historic wooden box car to Komoka. The box car dates back to 1910 and is now owned privately. “We have dibs on bringing it back home, and we’d like to do that,” says Museum administrator Dan Oatman.
It’s hoped that with additional space, the Museum can put more items on display such as pictures and stories chronicling local history.
The Komoka Railway Museum has been in operation since 1986, with a mission to preserve the unique railway heritage and history of Komoka and Kilworth. The heyday of rail travel in Komoka dates to the 1930’s. “What happened was Komoka was going to be a rail hub. They built a large station, but by 1939 London became the rail hub,” says Oatman. Back in its heyday the railway station saw soldiers leaving for war and returning home. There was also a royal visit in 1939, in which the train slowed down as it approached Komoka so spectators could wave to the King and Queen.
For information and to contact the museum, people can visit the website komokarailmuseum.ca, or check out the Museum on Facebook.
