JOGGINS - John Reid was only seven years old when the last train chugged out of Joggins, but he remembers it well.
"It was almost like a July 1 picnic celebration," recalled the local county councillor. "Everyone was there with their Sunday best on. The yard was full and it was quite an eventful day."
The day was Sept. 23, 1961, and the coal mines had shut down in Joggins, meaning there was no more coal for the train to pull from there to the power plant in Maccan. The last locomotive from Joggins was taken to the Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant, Que.,thereby marking the end of an era in the once-thriving Cumberland County community.
On Sept. 23 of this year, a group of community representatives has partnered with the Joggins Fossil Institute to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the train's final run. The event will include a model train exhibit at the Joggins Fossil Centre to run throughout the weekend, in addition to a temporary exhibit in the multi-purpose room through September and October.
(For the full story, see the Aug. 11 issue of The Citizen-Record)
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What wonderful news to read on this rainy day!!!! Nice to see that event being marked. This could be the catalyst to the train returning to Joggins. I don't live in Joggins, but I do see many positive things that have happened over the last few years, with the Fossil Centre being one of them. I visit the Fossil Centre every summer. While I am there, I see many people from this area and yes, they are enjoying themselves. After reading Disgruntled's comment, I am reminded of two things: Bloom where you are planted and If you aren't part of the Solution, you must be part of the problem. Cheerio, see you in Sept. Nice photo of John and Dara by the way :)