1967
Mayor Harold Prescott secures a “Mountain” type steam engine, CN #6077, for display in Capreol. The area becomes known as Prescott Park.
Timeline
1967
1969
1969
1982
1982
A Heritage Committee is formed by a small group of volunteers eager to preserve the history of the town. They start collecting pictures, newspaper clippings, and artifacts related to the history of the town and the railway.
1983
1983
The Heritage Committee obtains a Rules Instruction Car to be converted and displayed as a replica of a School Car.
1993
1993
The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre (NORMHC) is incorporated as a non-profit organization with its own Board of Directors. Prescott Park is donated to NORMHC by the Town of Capreol. The Town of Capreol Celebrates its 75th Anniversary.
1994
1994
During the months of July and August, the caboose is open to the public with a display of railroad memorabilia.
1997
1997
The house at 26 Bloor Street, formerly the home of the first CN Superintendent in Capreol, is purchased by the Town of Capreol to be used by NORMHC as a Museum.
1998
1998
July 5th, at 2pm, Mayor Dave Kilgour and Museum President Rocky Larsson, cut the ribbon marking the Grand Opening of the Museum house.
2000
2000
2001
2001
The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum is designated a Heritage Site. A wrought iron gate is built for the museum by Gerry Gagnon.
2002
2002
2004
2004
2005
2005
The NORMHC Foundation is incorporated to provide financial support for the museum.
2006
2006
The museum lays new rail in Prescott Park in preparation for the arrival of new rolling stock.
2007
2007
NORMHC completes the restoration of it’s rules instruction car in Prescott Park, and becomes home to INCO Electrics #101 and #116 as well as former CNR Snow Plow #55208, steel caboose #79231 and baggage/warehouse car #60049.
2008
2008
The museum, with assistance from the Prescott family and several community volunteers, repaints CN steam locomotive #6077. Capreol is inducted into the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame.
2009
2009
The museum opens its boxcar home exhibit. NORMHC hosts its first ever gold panning event on the Vermilion River. The museum completes its strategic plan.
2010
2010
The museum opens its section man shed showcasing a variety of maintenance of way equipment.
2011
2011
NORMHC opens its new mining exhibit with the arrival of a hot metal car from Vale. The display also incorporates a variety of underground railroad equipment used in Falconbridge Ltd. operations. The museum completes its Garden of Life to help promote and raise awareness for organ and tissue donation. New wrought iron perimeter fencing is also erected to protect the garden and enhance the look of the property. The Terror Train #6077 Halloween event is launched.
2012
2012
The museum acquires the former Capreol Fire Hall and Town Centre as an annex to the existing museum. This new Heritage Centre houses displays related to the region’s social history as well as a 1928 Gotfredson Bickle Fire Engine. NORMHC constructs a G Scale train layout in the Garden of Life.
2013
2013
The museum adds a locomotive themed playground to Prescott Park. With the help of Hite Services, the museum restores the historic nose cone on steam locomotive #6077. In cooperation with the Capreol Community Action Network and the Capreol Business Association, the museum begins a significant re-greening project throughout downtown Capreol. The project was made possible with funding from CN EcoConnexions, Day Construction, the City of Greater Sudbury and the Capreol Lions Club. Hite Services donates former CNR crane #50392 for display in Prescott Park.
2014
2014
NORMHC Enhances Accessibility and Celebrates Community Milestones with New Additions and Recognition
NORMHC welcomes former Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railways steam locomotive #219 to Prescott Park on April 8th. With funding from the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the Sudbury Community Foundation and the Healthy Communities Initiatives Fund, walkways and a wheelchair ramp are constructed through Prescott Park and into the museum house improving accessibility for visitors. The museum acquires a 1955 Dodge Town Panel for the recreation of Capreol’s first police vehicle, a “paddy wagon.” NORMHC receives a 2014 Community Award from Greater Sudbury Emergency Services.
2015
2015
A new cab is fabricated by Hite Services for T&NO steam locomotive #219. The original jail cells at the Capreol Fire Hall, now the museum’s Heritage Centre, are opened to the public for viewing. Vale donates a wooden pump car for display. Volunteers complete a railway themed mural on site with funding from Project Impact.
2016
2016
The museum forms a partnership to become the new clubhouse for the Sudbury Railway Modellers. A new permanent sports display is unveiled at the Heritage Centre location in time for the museum’s May opening. Canadian Pacific Railways donates a miniature ride-on train to the museum for special events. The museum completes the restoration of retired INCO Hot Copper Car #5 thanks to a significant donation from Atlas Copco Canada and the support of numerous local businesses. The museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the museum house, originally constructed in 1916, and its annual Canada Day celebration evolves into a full…Read More
2017
2017
The museum partners with the Capreol Volunteer Firefighters Association to acquire former Capreol Pumper No.4, a 1986 Ford Superior, recently retired from service with Greater Sudbury Fire Services. The cab is salvaged to create an interactive exhibit for visitors. Also opened for the first time are a new Model Railway Exhibit, and a Locomotive Simulator exhibit. On April 27th, the museum is recognized with a Civic Award from the City of Greater Sudbury.
2018
2018
On Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018 at the Ristorante Verdicchio in Sudbury, Ontario, the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre was honoured with a Dr. Edward J. Conroy Community Leadership Award. The town of Capreol celebrates its centennial celebrations and the museum celebrates its twenty-five year anniversary. Centennial celebration highlights include a visit from the Stanley Cup and the RCMP Musical Ride. The town of Capreol works with the City of Greater Sudbury to complete a $1.2 million waterfront restoration in the downtown core and the museum completes the restoration of retired Temiskaming and Northern Ontario steam locomotive #219. Al…Read More
2019
2019
The museum unveils a new locomotive bell display in Prescott Park and hosts a new “Tool Shed” exhibit featuring its collection of antique chainsaws. A fan built Optimus Prime replica opens the Big Truck Meet Up Event while the museum launches two new events, Harry Potter Day and the #219 Candy Cane Express.
2020
2020
The museum works with the town to bring back the Capreol Winter Carnival. The Terror Train #6077 is re-imagined as a drive in style haunt adhering to COVID-19 protocols. The museum completes the restoration of steel caboose #79231, expands the sectionman shed and places a new roof on the boxcar home.
2021
2021
NORMHC becomes a member of the Railway Alliance Canadian Branch. The museum adds butterfly houses to the gardens, as well as a Little Free Library by the street.
2022
2022
Jurassic Park replica vehicles draw unprecedented crowds to the annual Big Truck Showcase. NORMHC acquires a 1967 Cub Lo-Boy tractor, updates the sectionman building, and adds an enhanced Monarch Butterfly display to Prescott Park.
