2 - Trains and Railways

Banner image : Shift change in Bridgewater. photo from Paul Harmon/Neil Gillis

Background

Growing up on Nova Scotia's South Shore, the train was a part of my childhood memories. By the time I was a teenager, the trains were gone. Except for the 'Rail to Trails' and a few museums, there aren't many momentos.

But the train and railways were a really important part of many peoples' lives -- especially in the Bridgewater area where the train was a hub for trains moving from Halifax to Yarmouth and also coming from Middleton.

This section of our project was the most popular with the viewers.

There are three parts:

1. Early years (1890 to about 1910)
   
2. Middle years (approx. 1920 to 1950s)
   
3. Final years (approx 1950 - 1980)
   

The Early Years

Its 1873 -- just six years after confederation -- when they start to build a railway from Middleton to Bridgewater. After several name changes and many financial challenges, trains start rolling in 1888. The Halifax and South Western Railway is formed in 1901.

Did you know?:

• in the first year (1889-90) the train ran between Bridgewater and Middleton, they moved 53,705 passengers
  
• it operated 6 days a week
  
• the train would leave Bridgewater in the morning and return from Middleton at suppertime
  
• there were an average of 86 passengers per train

Imagine ... a passenger out of Bridgewater could ride the train as far as Middleton and, continue on to Yarmouth, then by ferry to Boston and the rest of New England. Breakfast in Bridgewater and step off a train onto a platform in Boston by the next afternoon.

FUN FACT : We received more comments on the Bridgewater Train Station than any other topic during our project.

The Middle Years -- perhaps the 'Golden Age of Local Rail'?

Trunk #10 wasn't paved until the late 1930s so the best way to get between Bridgewater and New Germany was by train. In the next series of pictures, we take an imaginary train trip from Bridgewater to New Germany. (yes ... some of the images show the train going in the wrong direction ... please use your imagination :-)

Passengers are advised that their train will depart Bridgewater at 8:40am enroute to Riversdale at 9:15 and New Germany at 9:30. The train departs New Germany at 5pm enroute to Riversdale at 5:15 and Bridgewater at 5:50. Passengers wishing to stop at the Northfield station should advise the agent.

Anne McLeod wrote ... That is my grandfather, Frank Theriault who was the ticketmaster at the old station in Bridgewater.

Wayne Bruhm wrote ...When we were kids we would go fishing by the bend of the river.we would be happy to see the train go if we had a catfish we would put the line on the track so we did have to get close to them lol we were 7 or 8 and be all alone what fun.

When we asked if anyone rememberd the trains ...

Darrin Parker wrote ... Grew up with them! I also remember the old cabooses before the black tops!

Janet Cunningham wrote ... Absolutely. My grandmother lived where the Superstore is now.

Norma Currie wrote ... I remember the metal lunch box mom packed it full of goodies for a few days!!

Darlene Sproule wrote ... We lived in Springfield as children we would watch patiently for the train each day to wave to the engineer our home was less than a stones throw away from the track great memories of the train.

The Final Years

Trains on the South Shore had a good run. But the 'writing was on the wall' once the major roads were paved and vehicle traffic became more common and wide-spread:

• Passenger service between Bridgewater and Middleton ended in 1959
  
• The railway station in New Germany closed on April 30, 1976
  
• Train service passing through Bridgewater was abandoned in 1976
  
• The iconic Bridgewater station was abandoned, it burned on December 12, 1982, and the remaining structure was demolished
  

NEXT : 3 - Bridges

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