A teenager has been charged with impaired driving following a collision on Canada Day that resulted in significant damage to a storage facility at a children’s miniature railway in Strathroy-Caradoc. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the incident.
The Sleepy Hollow Railway, a beloved narrow-gauge railway designed for children, has closed for an indefinite period due to the damage sustained during the early morning crash into its railway house. This building housed around 20 rail cars, many of which suffered damage.
Alan Johnson, a member of the volunteer group Strathroy Model Railroad Engineers that manages the municipally-owned railway, shared that the municipality had informed them about the crash. The group is currently awaiting a green light from the town to begin assessments and repairs. Johnson expressed the volunteers’ eagerness to commence the cleanup and salvage any restorable pieces.
The crash was reported to the Strathroy-Caradoc police around 3:30 a.m. by emergency responders at 334 Metcalfe St., the location of the accident. The authorities managed to locate and arrest a minor suspected of driving the car under the influence, subsequently charging them and impounding the vehicle. Details about the suspect remain confidential due to their age.
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The damaged building was made secure by boarding up post-removal of the vehicle involved in the collision.
“We weren’t planning to run today, but this certainly has disrupted our plans,” said Johnson regarding the railway’s operations. With plans to grow their volunteer team, the group hoped to increase the frequency of their summer weekend runs at the railway.
It remains uncertain whether operations will resume in time for the upcoming Strathroy Ribfest this weekend. Updates will be provided via the group’s Facebook page.
The Sleepy Hollow Railway House, the heart of the miniature railway, was relocated to the Fair Grounds Recreation Complex from Alexandra Park after a flood in 2013. The move and subsequent renovations were part of a community-supported initiative featured on the TVO Kids show “Giver,” which focuses on community play space revitalizations.
[Source: Local news coverage and statements from Strathroy-Caradoc police and Strathroy Model Railroad Engineers]
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Words by: Craig Clowes
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