All Aboard! -- Metcalfe Street Station 🚂 Mystery Cache

The Metcalfe Street Railway Station was constructed in 1875 as the Simcoe station of the Port Dover & Lake Huron (PD&LH) railway line, which linked Port Dover with Woodstock. The Port Dover Lake Huron Railway Charter was granted in 1872 and the construction of this line was completed three years later.  In 1876, the line was opened further to Stratford, and the "Lake Huron" component to Wiarton was completed by means of the Stratford & Lake Huron Railway, which leased its operations to the PD&LH.

A typical train excursion in 1875 started on the docks at the Port Dover Station. The steam engine headed north on the west side of Silver Lake and followed the Lynn River to Simcoe. Upon entering Simcoe, the passengers crossed Norfolk St., catching the corner of the Norfolk Fairgrounds and then the train made its way onto Metcalfe Street. Local houses, factories, businesses and the rail yard were passed by before arriving at the Metcalfe Station. Leaving the station, the tracks followed parallel to Cedar Street and then headed north, crossing the Great Western Railway tracks. The journey continued through the hamlets of Rattlesnake Harbour, La Salette and eventually leaving Norfolk County. Next passengers would find themselves making stops at Hawtrey, Otterville, Norwich, Burgessville, Curries and finally Woodstock

The Port Dover Lake Huron Railway line served as an important social and economic linkage for the communities it serviced, providing access to the world of commerce, education, entertainment and communication. One could send a letter in the morning and have a reply by night, a true accomplishment for rural townships.

In 1881, the Grand Trunk railway assumed control over the line, followed by the Canadian National Railway, in 1923. The last passenger train left Port Dover for Woodstock in 1935, ending a much used service. With the loss of passenger service, the Metcalfe station became simply a freight station and by the mid 70's was completely dismantled.  The rail lines lasted longer but by the 90's they were also removed. Most of the line has been abandoned with housing, farmer's fields and vegetation reclaiming the old rail line. The line from Simcoe to Port Dover is the only section of the railway that has been preserved in the form of the biking/walking Lynn Valley Rail Trail.

While the passenger train was popular with taking Simcoe residents to Port Dover for a day of picnicking and swimming.  West & Peachey also shipped their famous steam "Warping Alligator Tug" by train northward to their final destinations from the Metcalfe Street Station.

Busy platform scene -- circa 1910

Metcalfe Station -- circa 1969

To find this cache you will have to do a little math.

Take the year that the last passenger train left Port Dover for Woodstock and subtract the year CN took control of this railway line.  Multiply the difference by eight and then divide by one thousand. Add your answer to the posted north coordinates. Next take the year that CN took control of this railway line and subtract the year the Grand Trunk Railway took control of this railway line.  Divide the difference by one thousand and add the answer to the posted west coordinates.

Please note that the posted coordinates are only to show you the approximate location of where the Metcalfe Street Station was located.  There is nothing of the rail station left to see and the property is private. There is no reason to go there.

BYOP!