UXBRIDGE, Ontario — A tourist railway is among the locations sustaining severe damage from a May 21 tornado that struck the community of Uxbridge in south-central Ontario.
The Uxbridge Times-Journal reports the York-Durham Heritage Railway sustained about C$750,000 in damage to its station, equipment, and grounds, and is closed until further notice.
“After the railway has suffered through COVID-19, we were excited about our season opening and getting back on our feet,” John Perks, the railway CEO, told the newspaper. “This is a significant setback for our charity.”
On its Facebook page, the railway says events in May, June, and July are on hold, and it has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for repairs. A video appeal featuring Perks calls the situation the railroad’s “toughest battle yet,” and shows damage to roof and window damage to the Uxbridge station, damage to a heavyweight passenger car, and destruction of other facilities, as well as to neighboring homes and apartments.
CTV News reports winds from the storm reached 195 kilometers per hour (121 mph) and that thousands remained without power as of midweek.
Uxbridge is about 35 miles northeast of central Toronto.
Share this article
