Then and now photography book focuses on Norfolk’s electric railway

A transit historian with family roots in Simcoe has published a book Grand River and Lake Erie Electric Railways, that once ran through Norfolk County.

“My mom’s family is from Simcoe, so we visited quite a lot over the years,” said Trevor Parkins-Sciberras. “I’m very fond of the town.”

Having first published a book on the history of transit in Toronto, the author turned his focus to Simcoe after discovering that the Lake Erie and Northern Railway ran through Simcoe.

The former electrified rail line – that ceased operation in the 1950s — is now the LE&N Trail where one can see bridge abutments and the ruins of trestle supports near Brook Conservation Area.

“I had seen those ruins as a kid when we visited Simcoe and was fascinated by them, but I never knew the story behind them,” said the 31-year-old author. “Now 20 years later I’ve written a book about the railway and those ruins.”

The book features the author’s “then and now” style of photography that includes a historical photo of the railway in operation – obtained from the collections of others — and a recent photo taken by Parkins-Sciberras from the same vantage point.

“There have been books written already, but I wanted to do something different,” he said. “I’ve met guys who rode that railway way back in the 1950s.”

The LE&N station in Simcoe was located on Argyle Street on the east side of the Lynn River, where a parking lot now exists next to the rail trail.

“Some spots are easier than others, but the fun challenge is how close I can line up these photographs,” he shared. “The spot in Simcoe is fairly easy, as the tree line hasn’t moved.”

Parkins-Sciberras also volunteers at the Halton County Radial Railway near Campbellville, Ontario.

The museum has four pieces of equipment from the LE&N, including a passenger coach that would have operated through Simcoe.

Other noteworthy points of interest along the LE&N Trail – which can be cycled or walked from Cambridge to Port Dover — include the Black Bridge in Waterford, and two train stations that remain in Port Dover.

The Grand Trunk Railway station was moved a short distance to where it now sits on St. George Street near the waterfront, operating as the Grand Trunk Station gift shop.

“The LE&N station is still standing (at Nelson and St. Patrick Streets) and there’s been an initiative to get it restored,” he said. “It’s in pretty rough shape but I’ve been helping to advocate (for that).”

You can see samples of the author’s then and now photography, and order a copy of his book at transittimewarp.com

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