In the past, the facility has pared back on operations and events over the winter. However, on Wednesday (Jan. 7), the Elgin County Railway Museum announced, in a letter to the community, that it was indefinitely suspending operations.The letter noted, “The temporary closure is due to building-related issues located outside of public areas of the facility.”
The museum administration assured that these issues did not impact public safety during recent operations or events.
To delve further into the suspension, we contacted Scott Sleightholm, President of Railworks Coalition, who advised that the museum is also closed to members and volunteers.
“It’s no secret that the building has had issues or has issues in the non-public areas. So we’re just taking this as a time to work on our future master planning for the museum and the building and the future sustainability of both.”
Sleightholm added that this would entail a shift from a short-term fix to a more long-term planning approach.
“And allow us to assess the situation holistically instead of maybe piecemealing it here and there and responsibly work towards the future.”He advised that there is no scheduled re-opening date
“We are hoping by spring that we’ll kind of have some more answers. We’re going to get some professionals in and assess the situation holistically and as a whole. So over the next few months, we hope to have some more information and do some information gathering.
“And hopefully this spring, we’ll be able to put some pieces together and work again on this kind of future long-term planning for the building and what that looks like.”
On June 28, 2024, an eight-acre parcel of land to the west of the museum was sold to St. Thomas developer Doug Tarry for $2.4 million to allow for future residential development.
A ceremony was held in July of that year, where Tarry announced a financial gift to help secure the future of the downtown facility.
“Today is really about the commitment we made and, actually, there are a couple of them,” noted Tarry.“The first one is, we have a cheque presentation for $200,000 to ECRM to keep the project moving forward.
“And that’s in celebration of our purchase of the land.”
Additionally, there was a gift of $36,295 to help the ECRM “envision and shape the strategic direction of its museum and building to create a strategy for a sustainable future.”
We asked Sleightholm about the funds from the land sale.
“Funds have flowed in from that. And obviously, that is seed money or a starting point. Obviously, it is a very large building, 52,000 square feet, and that money is available, but we need to responsibly assign it and try to plan because the roof is obviously going to cost more than $2 million. So we need to figure out where can we get the rest? What else needs to be done?”
He continued, “And that is a conversation that we have continued to have, and we’ve had with all levels of government; municipal, provincial and federal.
“The responses that we’ve gotten are that the opportunities are there, we just have to be able to come to them with the right ask or the right opportunities. Again, part of our whole master planning.
“We can now take this time with this temporary closure to assess what we actually need? And with that, what are the costs going to be? And from there can begin our planning and any potential fundraising and capital work, and grant applications.”
Last July, the new design concepts for the Elgin County Railway Museum were unveiled during a media briefing at the CASO station (photo below).
According to Wil Zufelt, the museum’s Chief Operating Officer, “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.”
We asked Sleightholm if that vision remains current.
“We still have the mandate to protect the rail heritage, rail history and education. So we may need to shift in how that happens, and that’s all part of our planning process at the moment.”
“I think that’s relevant, continues to be relevant. We’re going down that path, and I think now, again, with it being winter, allows us to take the time to look at the whole picture, and we’ve made some great progress on this kind of master planning, this vision idea and those renderings that you guys would have seen, and let’s look at the whole building right now, while we have the opportunity.
“It is a work in progress, and I’m sure more information will come over the next few weeks and a few months. We will continue to have board meetings. Obviously, the Elgin County Railway Museum is part of the larger umbrella Railworks Coalition. So we do meet monthly regardless. “We’re hosting a members’ information session next Thursday, because obviously our members will have questions. So in that regard, the governance and the board operations will continue, and we’ll work with the team, and that continues.
“We still have the mandate to protect the rail heritage, rail history and education. So we may need to shift in how that happens, and that’s all part of our planning process at the moment.”
Sleightholm concluded, “At the end of the day, it’s really about stewardship and responsibility. As you know, the ECRM exists because of the community. The community cares deeply not only about the rail heritage that has built St. Thomas, but also that the museum is a gathering point within the community and a community hub.
“So we thank the community, and we will continue to move forward and, again, work towards a sustainable and prosperous future for the museum as a whole and the building as well.
“We will, as information becomes available, we’ll obviously update not only our membership, but the public as well. And I think that’s what’s exciting, is this building has gone from just the membership is interested or intrigued or invested in it, and it’s now become a community investment and a cultural meeting point. So we love that, and we will continue to update the community as we move forward.”
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POWERCO GIGAFACTORY REACHES UPWARD
Beginning last fall, the focus at Yarmouth Yards industrial park in St. Thomas took on a horizontal perspective as the concrete foundation was poured for the first cell production building incorporated in the massive PowerCo EV battery gigafactory.
Now, in the new year, it’s a vertical presence as the steel framework rises upward to announce the beginning of construction of major building structures.
Foundation work is being undertaken on the 350-acre site by Canadian-owned Magil Construction, involving more than 500,000 square feet of formwork and more than 32,000 cubic metres of concrete.
Steel erection is the purview of Canadian partner Steelcon.
On Oct. 28 of last year, Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo SE, announced, “Today marks a big milestone for PowerCo Canada, as we officially mark the beginning of construction on our third and largest EV gigafactory worldwide.”
He continued, “We aim to build a global battery champion with a strong footprint in Europe and North America.”
Steelcon indicated it will deploy a dedicated team of over 500 skilled Canadian employees directly on the project, including more than 30 from London and Southwestern Ontario.
At the time, Meredith Gibbons, Chief Procurement Officer for PowerCo Canada, highlighted the Canadian component.
She stressed both Steelcon (with six fabrication facilities in Ontario) and Magil Construction (based in London) are Canadian-owned and operated businesses.
“We’re very proud and passionate that we always run an open market tender here at PowerCo, open to the market and working with people, and obviously, we’re very excited to be able to award these contracts to two proudly Canadian-owned companies here.”
As to the commencement of construction last fall, Gibbons explained what specifically was involved.
“There are six different blocks to the factory. This one is specifically in the first block that we’re building up right now.
“Our goal is to copy and paste as much as possible in order to maintain efficiencies, but obviously, you learn as you go.”
She stressed PowerCo is primed to weather whatever economic impacts are churned up during President Trump’s tariff war.
“These kinds of things, while impactful, are temporary. And our view is that we’re building this for decades to come, not just for the next few years.
“So we will weather whatever is going on now because we’re really looking at the big picture and the long-term impact of this project.”
At the Dec. 11, 2025, meeting of city council, Justin Lawrence, the city’s Director of Industrial Development, advised that construction of the $7 billion gigafactory is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2028.
Blome concluded the Oct. 28 announcement by stressing, “Electric vehicles are the future of the global automotive sector, and we’re proud to spearhead such a significant investment, while positioning Canada at the forefront of innovative EV battery production.”
As to the end product, will they be lithium-ion or a new technology?
Gibbons responded, “We’re building this factory to support products that our customers want.
“This is very important to us because we plan to be relevant for a very long time. So Step 1 is that we build a factory, and Step 2, if we need to pivot, we’ll do as we need.”
SWPH WARNS OF FALSE OUTBREAK ALERT
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) is alerting residents and community partners about an unauthorized illness outbreak sign circulating in the community. The forged notice, which features the Southwestern Public Health logo, was not created, issued, or endorsed by SWPH.
The notice falsely claims that it is an outbreak alert and provides guidance to call before entering facilities where the document is posted.
The health unit assures there is no outbreak at this time, and residents and visitors should disregard the information.“We want to assure the public that this sign is not an official Southwestern Public Health communication,” stressed Susan McIsaac, Director, Health Protection.
She continued, “Replicating a forged public health alert is a serious matter. Valid alerts of this nature would be widely communicated through our verified channels, including our website, social media accounts, and direct communications with partners.”
The health unit advised, “SWPH is actively working to resolve the situation and is taking appropriate steps to address the unauthorized use of its logo and branding.
“The health unit encourages the public to rely on trusted and official sources for public health information and to verify the authenticity of any notice claiming to come from Southwestern Public Health via its website or by calling the health unit. If residents encounter questionable materials, they are encouraged to report them to SWPH.”
Local police services have been contacted, and they are investigating.
THE ECHO CHAMBER
Referencing last week’s post, Joseph Docherty Sr. had this observation.
“Thanks for the two explanations on the cemetery issue and the nameplate movement (MP Wade Chang’s accusations). I hope that when the committee (the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights) returns, this will be addressed.”
Tim Van Meppelen was far more forthright.
“So basically, Wade Chang made some vague allegations in the House (without any evidence) of disrespectful statements made by Conservative members in the Justice committee.
“Failed Liberal candidate David Goodwin amplifies the allegations on his Facebook page (again without offering any proof), and Liberal partisans get worked up about this “concerning” incident.
“Goodwin even concedes in the article that it might be a false allegation, but then proceeds to repeat it.
“A couple of local journalists, instead of asking for evidence, repeat the Liberal party allegations verbatim.
“The whole thing is a bit ridiculous, and Lawton is quite right to wonder what he’s actually being accused of.
“I’m starting to think we really dodged a bullet by not electing Goodwin. He seems to have a real hatred for Lawton, especially, and conservatives generally.
“It would be hard to see him representing Elgin-Middlesex-London South well, considering the number of conservative people in the riding.
“Lawton, on the other hand, has done a pretty good job so far of engaging with his constituents in a professional and respectful manner, while holding the Liberal government to account in committee.”
That prompted a back-and-forth between Goodwin and Van Meppelen on our Facebook page, which you can follow here, with Liberal candidate David Goodwin’s main rebuttal as follows.
“Tim, when an MP rises in the House of Commons on a point of order about a serious incident, it deserves to be taken seriously and considered on its merits.
“As the Deputy Speaker indicated, the matter will be addressed by the Chair of the Justice Committee when it resumes at the end of January. “It’s important that these processes are allowed to unfold, and that we continue to expect accountability and respectful conduct from our elected officials.
“For clarity, I never said the allegation was false. I said that there are differing accounts of what happened—what Wade says occurred and what Andrew says occurred, which he is denying.
“What is clear, however, is that the issue was serious enough to be raised in the House of Commons, and that alone means it should not be dismissed.”
Joining the online conversation, Sherry Graham added this observation.
“Tim, you call Mr. Chang’s point of order, grandstanding?????
“The biggest grandstander of all is one of the accused! Yes….he is the biggest grandstander of all.
“I cringe every time your friend stands in the House to try to humiliate or degrade his opposition. I know his job is to oppose, but he is just a grandstander, himself, and holds very little respect in my opinion.”
And Graham followed that contribution with the following. And keep in mind, for possible future reference, the two dates that she mentions.
“I watch Mr. Chang stand to make his point of order. He was very emotional, and I strongly believe this happened to him. I applaud his bravery to stand in front of those accused.
“He had to make his point of order in the House that day instead of the committee meetings as the meeting on the 9th was suspended, and the 11th was cancelled. I hope all is revealed at the next meeting.”
And, the last word to Neil Moore, who stressed the following point.
“Vague allegations, maybe, but based on past behaviour, I tend to believe them. He has made racist and belittling statements before on social media. We will find out the truth of the matter when the Justice Committee sits again.”
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