North America Railway Hall of Fame facts for kids
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| Established | 1996 |
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| Location | 750 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Transport museum |
The North America Railway Hall of Fame (NARHF) is a special place in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. It's a non-profit group that celebrates the amazing history of railways across North America.
The NARHF is located in the beautiful, old Canada Southern Railway Station. It was started in 1996 to remember and honor everything important about trains and railways. This includes people, events, buildings, art, and even the trains themselves! The main goal is to teach everyone about how much railway travel has shaped communities and countries.
Contents
What the Hall of Fame Does
The North America Railway Hall of Fame has a few important goals:
- To honor the men and women who made big contributions to the railway industry in North America.
- To celebrate important railway companies, new inventions, cool railway vehicles, and amazing railway buildings. They also recognize railway art and historical events.
- To keep and show a collection of books and railway items related to the people and things in the Hall of Fame.
- To teach people how railways have changed history and helped communities grow across North America.
After the Hall of Fame got its permanent home in the Canada Southern Station in 2005, they added more goals:
- To protect and fix up the historic Canada Southern Railway Station in St. Thomas, Ontario.
- To create a fun place for tourists that also helps the local economy and community.
A Look at Hall of Fame History
The North American Railway Hall of Fame officially became an organization in 1996. The first induction ceremonies, where new members are added, happened in 1999 and 2001. These early events took place at the St. Thomas Public Library.
Later, the Hall of Fame bought its current home, the Canada Southern Railway Station. This happened in 2004. Since then, new members have been inducted every two years, with ceremonies in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012, and continuing after that.
Once the Hall of Fame bought the historic Canada Southern Station, their future became linked. They needed to raise money not only for the Hall of Fame displays but also to restore and take care of the old building.
The Historic Canada Southern Station
In 2004, the North America Railway Hall of Fame bought its permanent home, the Canada Southern Railway Station. This station is also known as the CASO Station. It was purchased from another railway group called ONTRACK.
By 2005, the Hall of Fame officially owned the building. The CASO Station was once in bad shape, but it has now been almost completely restored. The station was finished in 1873, but its restoration shows how it looked around 1914 to the early 1920s.
This station was a very important stop for New York Central Railroad passenger trains. It was right in the middle of their route from Buffalo to Detroit in Ontario. Visitors can explore the station on their own or with a guide, if staff are available. You can learn about the station's history and see old objects from that time. The second floor of the station holds the displays for the North America Railway Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame earns money by renting out offices on the second floor. They also rent out Anderson Hall, which is the main dining room, and the Ladies Waiting Room. These spaces are used for meetings, weddings, and other events. The Canada Southern Railway Station is not just home to the Hall of Fame; it was also inducted into the Hall of Fame itself in 2001! It was honored in the "Facilities & Structures" group for its local importance. The CASO Station is also recognized as an Ontario Heritage Trust Building.
How Inductees Are Chosen
Hall of Fame Categories
The process of choosing new members for the Hall of Fame starts with a nomination. Anyone can nominate someone or something! You can contact the Hall of Fame at the Canada Southern Railway Station or use their online form on the Hall of Fame website.
The nominations fall into different categories:
- Communities, businesses, governments, and organizations
- Buildings and other structures
- Railway art and events
- Railway workers and builders
- Rolling stock (train cars and engines)
- New technical inventions
Nominees are judged on whether they made a big impact locally, nationally (in Canada), or across all of North America. Of course, all nominees must have made an important contribution to the world of trains and rail transport.
Selection Process
After nominations are submitted, a group of experts makes the final choices. These experts carefully review all the nominations.
Who Is Inducted?
People, events, art, equipment, or even buildings can be inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame. It could be something that was the very first, like the first engine built in Canada. Or it could be something that was the last, like the "last spike" that completed a railway. It could also be a famous piece of art that celebrates railways.
Some famous inductees include:
- The Toronto No. 2, which was the first engine built in Canada.
- American railway leader Cornelius Vanderbilt.
- Famous train stations like Grand Central Terminal and Toronto's Union Station.
- Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot.
- The Brotherhood of Porters and Redcaps, who were important railway workers.
- Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister.
You can see all the inductees online on the NARHF website. You can also see displays about them at the Canada Southern Railway Station in St. Thomas, Ontario. When you visit, you can explore both the Hall of Fame and the restored railway station. The NARHF also has interactive displays to help you learn more about those in the Hall of Fame.
You can find a full list of inductees at the List of North America Railway Hall of Fame inductees.
