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The London, Huron & Bruce Railway

Location: The railway was built between the Southern Ontario communities of London and Wingham.

History: Similar to other growing Southern Ontario towns of the time, the citizens of London desired to draw within their sphere of influence the rich agricultural lands to the north. In conjunction with this desire was the wanting for a terminal on Lake Huron to attract and divert western lake shipping through their community. A meeting was held on November 22, 1880 to see what interest existed in the matter. The idea was fully supported, in particular by the town's influential citizens, whom had profited greatly from the Great Western Railway that had been constructed through town during the 1850's.

Consideration was given for the construction of a line extending to either Southampton or Kincardine. When it became known that the Wellington, Grey & Bruce Railway (WG&BR) by this time was then building to the same communities, it was decided instead to construct a railway that would connect with it. The London, Huron & Bruce Railway (LH&BR) was incorporated on February 15, 1871 to construct a line from a point near London to a terminal in the Township of either Stanley or Tuckersmith. Given the potential savings to be had, a narrow gauge line was initially contemplated. Arrangements were made with the Great Western Railway to supervise construction, select the ultimate route, and to raise the additional funds required above and beyond the municipal subscriptions on its own credit. The GWR obtained authority to lease the line in March, 1873.

By early 1874, a route had been selected to extend from Hyde Park (on the GWR main line just west of London) directly north to Clinton (connecting with the former Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway , by then GTR property) and then northeast to Wingham (final connection with the Wellington, Grey and Bruce line, a GWR subsidiary). Construction commenced early in 1875 with the entire railway opened for traffic on January 4, 1876. The 74 mile (119 km) line proved to be well constructed and came within budget, an extreme rarity for railways of the day. No further construction ever took place. The line operated in a quasi-independent fashion from 1878 until 1881 from which point it fell into the hands of the Grand Trunk in conjunction with the GWR. The property disappeared as a separate entity in the 1893 GTR general amalgamation.

Approximate Mileage: 74 miles.

Current Status: Known as the Exeter Subdivision by Canadian National, the line from Clinton to Wingham Jct. was abandoned in 1941, while the track from Ilderton to Centralia was abandoned in 1988. The tracks from Hyde Park 7.5 miles north to Ilderton is currently known as the Ilderton spur. In 1990, Railtex Limited of Texas incorporated the Goderich-Exeter Railway Company in order to purchase various tracks in the area, including the former route of the LH&BR between Centralia and Clinton, for a short line railway. This component of the company operates as the Exeter Subdivision.

Principle Stations: Hyde Park (London), Ilderton, Exeter, Clinton, Blyth and Wingham.

Remaining Stations: There are a total of seven stations remaining along the line. They are as follows:
1. Ilderton: Moved to property as a storage shed, location unconfirmed.
2. Centralia: In original location as a lumber/feed mill storage building.
3. Exeter: Moved to property in Grand Bend as a medical office.
4. Kippen: Moved as a storage shed, location unconfirmed.
5. Brucefield: Moved to Clinton on Albert Street as a Orange Meeting Hall.
6. Blyth: In original location at 481 Dinsley Street as a Bed & Breakfast.

Last Updated: December 30, 1997

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