Losing our Heritage – the GNMRE is under siege.

Nov.17/25

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Canadians owe a great deal to the pioneers of train development for the lifestyle we enjoy today. I can appreciate this fact more than most as I was very involved with one of Canada’s greatest train men, Sir. Wm Mackenzie, the railway king of Canada.

With his partner, Sir Donald Mann, they are the only individuals that privately built a trans continental railroad and owned it. It was the Canadian Northern R/R and joined with the British owned Grand Trunk R/R in 1919, is now, the Canadian National Railway (CNR).

The village of Fenwick under the control of Pelham council is where this hidden treasure is located. The building is located just off the centre square joined by the library and an upscale restaurant. Except for a much-needed coat of paint, it looks like the ideal place for a miniature railroad layout. How any group of sane individuals would spend half a million of our tax money on a building that is servicing the community as well as it has been for the past half century, is a mystery to me.  I am aware that this very small building is on the Historic registry. This means that renovations can become very expensive. Pelham has a very good tenant with resources to do many great things in the village. The community at large would be smart to get involved and let private enterprise do what they do best. A few years ago, I restored Sir William Mackenzie’s 40 room, fifteen suite mansion and completely furnished it to a (5 Star) Inn for less than $175,000.00.  It can be done without government involvement. This train layout is a unique showcase and with some historic help could be a centre piece for the counselors to consider if they want a museum as well. However, the council seems to have other ideas. This is when the community needs to intervene. Small town politicians are no different than PM’s or Premiers. They like to be in control.

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Paul D. Scott                                    Welland

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