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Difference between revisions of "Aldershot"

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==History==
 
==History==
Beginning as a small station stop on the Cornwallis Valley Railway in 1889, Aldershot grew in importance in 1904 when it was chosen as the militia training base for western Nova Scotia which attracted special [[Army Base Support|troop trains]]. A wye was built to turn troop train locomotives. Additional facilities were added in both world wars which eventually included several supply warehouses located along the wye and two station buildings. The Aldershot wye was also used by DAR [[Kentville Roundhouse]] staff for testing refitted locomotives as they could be given a short run from Kentville and turned at Aldershot without disrupting mainline traffic.<ref>[[Barron,_Leon|Leon Barron]], personal communication with Dan Conlin, 2000</ref>
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First known as Pine Hill, Aldershot was initially settled by a group of African families who escaped slavery in the United States during the War of 1812. The name changed to Aldershot in 1904 when the militia training base for western Nova Scotia was moved from the [[Auburn]] area to Pine Hill, with the base and the community taking the named from  the famous Aldershot Army base in England.<ref>[https://archives.novascotia.ca/places/page/?ID=5 "Adlershot, Kings County", ''Place-names and Places of Nova Scotia'', Page 5]</ref> A summer militia grounds and then a full base in the First and Second World War, Aldershot became the destination for many [[Army Base Support|troop trains]] specials. Aldershot first appears on public timetables in 1914.<ref>[[1914-Land of Evangeline|Public Timetable June 29, 1914, page 9]]</ref> A wye was built to turn troop train locomotives. Additional facilities were added in both world wars which eventually included several supply warehouses located along the wye and two station buildings. The Aldershot wye was also used by DAR [[Kentville Roundhouse]] staff for testing refitted locomotives as they could be given a short run from Kentville and turned at Aldershot without disrupting mainline traffic.<ref>[[Barron,_Leon|Leon Barron]], personal communication with Dan Conlin, 2000</ref>
  
 
On Sept. 13, 1928, the evening Train from [[Weston]] to [[Kentville]] from the [[North Mountain Line]] with 6 freight cars and 1 passenger car derailed just past the Aldershot crossing. The passenger car and a boxcar of apples toppled over. Conductor K. Melvor seriously injured and 3 passengers received minor injuries.<ref>"D.A.R. Wreck Cars Leave Rail at Aldershot", Halifax Herald, Sept. 14, 1928, Carl Riff Collection</ref>
 
On Sept. 13, 1928, the evening Train from [[Weston]] to [[Kentville]] from the [[North Mountain Line]] with 6 freight cars and 1 passenger car derailed just past the Aldershot crossing. The passenger car and a boxcar of apples toppled over. Conductor K. Melvor seriously injured and 3 passengers received minor injuries.<ref>"D.A.R. Wreck Cars Leave Rail at Aldershot", Halifax Herald, Sept. 14, 1928, Carl Riff Collection</ref>

Latest revision as of 16:53, 17 February 2025


Aldershot, Nova Scotia

Mile 1.6 from Kentville on the Kingsport Subdivision, the Cornwallis Valley Railway

Mile 1.6 from Kentville on the Spur Track D Kingsport after 1961

Facilities

  • Spur Irving Oil, Mile .55 (1930s)
  • Aldershot Wye
  • Camp Aldershot Military Station and telegraph office

History

First known as Pine Hill, Aldershot was initially settled by a group of African families who escaped slavery in the United States during the War of 1812. The name changed to Aldershot in 1904 when the militia training base for western Nova Scotia was moved from the Auburn area to Pine Hill, with the base and the community taking the named from the famous Aldershot Army base in England.[1] A summer militia grounds and then a full base in the First and Second World War, Aldershot became the destination for many troop trains specials. Aldershot first appears on public timetables in 1914.[2] A wye was built to turn troop train locomotives. Additional facilities were added in both world wars which eventually included several supply warehouses located along the wye and two station buildings. The Aldershot wye was also used by DAR Kentville Roundhouse staff for testing refitted locomotives as they could be given a short run from Kentville and turned at Aldershot without disrupting mainline traffic.[3]

On Sept. 13, 1928, the evening Train from Weston to Kentville from the North Mountain Line with 6 freight cars and 1 passenger car derailed just past the Aldershot crossing. The passenger car and a boxcar of apples toppled over. Conductor K. Melvor seriously injured and 3 passengers received minor injuries.[4]

In 1956, Locomotive 2617 derailed at Aldershot and buried itself in sand and gravel after splitting a switch on the Aldershot wye.[5]

Gallery

References and Footnotes

  1. "Adlershot, Kings County", Place-names and Places of Nova Scotia, Page 5
  2. Public Timetable June 29, 1914, page 9
  3. Leon Barron, personal communication with Dan Conlin, 2000
  4. "D.A.R. Wreck Cars Leave Rail at Aldershot", Halifax Herald, Sept. 14, 1928, Carl Riff Collection
  5. Gary W. Ness, The Dominion Atlantic Railway: 1894-1994, p. 94

External Links

History of Camp Aldershot, Canadian Army Cadets