“Over there.” Angus points to the west. There, a cluster of concrete buildings, several storeys high, stand amid a tall water tank and smokestack. “The motive power shop for the Canadian National Railways’ Central Region. It’s where they recondition steam locomotives.” His voice drops to a near-whisper as he sees train passengers milling about the Stratford station platform. “This year’s the last hurrah for the Big Shop. Pretty soon, Stratford will just be known for the Shakespearean Festival.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

From the upcoming Volume 2 of King's Highways & Steam Trains.