Stratford station (Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stratford
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Current buildings, constructed by the GTR in 1913
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| Location | 101 Shakespeare St, Stratford, Ontario Canada |
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| Coordinates | 43°21′52″N 80°58′33″W / 43.36444°N 80.97583°W | ||||||||||||
| Owned by | Via Rail | ||||||||||||
| Platforms | 1 side platform, 1 island platform | ||||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | ||||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||||
| Structure type | Historic railway station | ||||||||||||
| Parking | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Disabled access | Yes | ||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||
| Opened | 1856 | ||||||||||||
| Rebuilt | 1913, opened August 1914 | ||||||||||||
| Previous names | Grand Trunk Railway | ||||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||||
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Heritage Railway Station (Canada)
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| Designated: | 1993 | ||||||||||||
| Reference #: | 15767 | ||||||||||||
| Official name: 101 Shakespeare Street VIA Rail Station | |||||||||||||
| Designated: | June 13, 1988 | ||||||||||||
The Stratford station is a train station located in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. It is an important stop for four Via Rail trains every day. These trains travel between Sarnia, London, and Toronto.
Even though the station is not right in the middle of downtown, it is still easy to get to. The station building is designed to be accessible for people using wheelchairs. If someone needs wheelchair access onto the trains, they just need to let VIA Rail know 48 hours beforehand.
If you are traveling towards London, westbound VIA train 85 stops at 1:09 PM. Westbound VIA train 87 stops later at 7:55 PM. For those going towards Toronto, eastbound VIA train 84 stops at 8:40 AM. Eastbound VIA train 88 stops at 9:05 PM.
Contents
History of Stratford Station
The Stratford station has a long and interesting history. It has been an important part of the railway system for many years.
Early Days and a Famous Inventor
The Grand Trunk Railroad (GTR) had a station in Stratford, Ontario. In the fall of 1863, a young Thomas Edison worked there. He was a telegrapher, which meant he sent messages using Morse code. Edison's father was from Canada but moved to the U.S. after the Rebellion of 1837.
The Station Buildings: A Look Back
Two main buildings from 1913 are still standing at the station today. They were built by the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR). One is a two-story brick building, which is the main station. The other is a one-story building used for express services. A canopy connects these two buildings.
In 1920, the Grand Trunk Railway joined with the Canadian National Railway. The station buildings were recognized as a Heritage Railway Station in 1993. This means they are protected because of their historical importance. The station is also protected under the Ontario Heritage Act since June 13, 1988.
Architectural Style of the Station
The Ontario Heritage Act notes that the station is built in the Prairie Style of architecture. This style was influenced by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Grand Trunk Railway built the station in 1913, and it opened in August 1914.
The heritage protection covers the outside of the entire building. This includes the roof, brickwork, windows, and original doors. It also covers the brick platforms, which were covered up when the station was designated in 1988. The building originally had a tower, but it has since been removed.
Past International Train Services
For many years, a train called the International Limited ran through Stratford. This service was a partnership between Via Rail and Amtrak. It connected Chicago in the U.S. with Toronto in Canada. The International Limited started in 1982 but stopped running in 2004.
