It’s out of the siding and onto the main line with a green signal for the Elgin County Railway Museum.
The museum, located in the former Michigan Central Railroad locomotive shops, today (Friday) launched its Save Our Museum campaign. Appropriately enough employing a few of its box cars as mobile billboards.
The museum was forced to suspend operations in January of this year due to building-related issues located outside of public areas.
Wil Zufelt, the museum’s Chief Operating Officer, noted, “Our vision is to honour the historic Michigan Central Railroad Repair Shops by integrating innovative new spaces that enhance the visitor experience without compromising the site’s heritage.
“Imagine interactive exhibits, modern learning spaces, updated works shops, and vibrant community areas that coexist harmoniously with the historic architecture.”
Zufelt continued, “our mandate is to save these buildings. And it’s extremely important that we keep our heritage alive here in St. Thomas.”
Three years ago, the museum was the backdrop for then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement that PowerCo is going to locate its EV battery gigafactory in St. Thomas.
And Zufelt stressed, the facility is more than a museum, it is a multi-functional venue.
He continued, “When we started this whole refocus of the museum, I was challenged by city council. Show me that people want to use the building. First thing. And then show me that you can head towards profitability. And then show me a viable plan.”
So we went from 2,200 visitors in 2023 to 57,000 visitors in 2025. So that shows huge growth, not just by the volunteers, but the staff and the community that they want to use that building. And it is just remarkable on everything that that building represents.”
A public information meeting was held in March to update the community on the current state of the Elgin County Railway Museum building and an exciting look at what the future could hold.
A well-attended session at the CASO station to present an overview of the current condition of the building, with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities for the structure.
The takeaway was quite stark. The museum will be closed to the public for an extended period of time to allow the roof to be removed, along with the walls, to determine the structural integrity and undertake remedial action.
And then put all the pieces back together again.
After the public meeting, Scott Sleightholm, President of Railworks Coalition, stressed that the purpose of the public gathering was “to get people thinking and really looking outside of what the building currently is, what could it be?”
Zufelt noted the museum is just one of the pieces of the railway lands puzzle.
On June 28, 2024, an eight-acre parcel of land to the west of the museum was sold to St. Thomas developer Doug Tarry Homes for $2.4 million to allow for future residential development.
Following the launch of the campaign, the fundraising component will kick in early next year.
Find out more about the campaign at http://saveourmuseum.com
Written by Ian McCallum
