Ingersoll train station boarded up by VIA

Repeated acts of vandalism at the Ingersoll VIA Rail station have led to the building being boarded up and off limits for travellers. (Facebook photo)

Lee Griffi, Editor

The town’s train station might be off limits for the public, but VIA wants to assure residents its passenger service in Ingersoll will continue.

“VIA informed the town on June 23 that it was going to close the station temporarily and relook at options in the fall regarding health and safety concerns they had been dealing with over the last couple of years,” explained Mayor Brian Petrie. “They had previously removed seating and locked the washrooms. They said it would not affect the current schedule of trains that stop at the station.”

Petrie said he was told the following statement would be posted on the VIA website regarding the move.

“The Ingersoll station building is temporarily closed. Trains will continue to stop at Ingersoll as scheduled. Passengers will not have access to the station building or its amenities until further notice.”

The Echo was unable to find the statement, just a notice the station is closed, but we did receive a statement from VIA.

“Over the past few years, the Ingersoll VIA Rail station has been the target of repeated acts of vandalism despite ongoing repairs and maintenance. After the station entrance was damaged again, VIA Rail made the decision to temporarily board up and close the facility as a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of our passengers and the public. This temporary decision will have no impact on train service schedules in Ingersoll.”

The statement added VIA is currently reviewing the situation and will determine the appropriate path forward in due course.

“We remain committed to serving the Ingersoll community.”

Ingersoll is served by VIA Rail's Québec City–Windsor Corridor, specifically the Toronto–London–Windsor route. It is one of the smaller stops and receives limited service compared with larger stations such as Woodstock and London.

The original historic station was demolished in 2020. Today it consists of a small shelter with basic amenities, a wheelchair-accessible platform, washrooms, telephones and a small parking area. There is no ticket office or baggage service.

Ingersoll had a much grander railway station dating to the late 19th century when it was an important stop on the former Great Western and later Grand Trunk Railway. As passenger traffic declined after VIA Rail took over intercity service in 1979, the large station became unnecessary. A simple shelter replaced it in the early 1980s, and the vacant historic station was demolished in December 2020.