Just over 80 years ago one of the greatest rail tragedies in Canadian history happened in Almonte.
On Friday the North Lanark Historical Society presents a commemoration of the Almonte Train Wreck from December 27th of 1942.
With 39 deaths and over 150 injured, little publicity occurred at the time because one of the trains involved was transporting troops- and military missions in the middle of a war are shrouded in secrecy for obvious reasons.
Brian Tackaberry of the North Lanark Historical Society says the other train, filled with holiday revelers returning home, was the conveyance on which most of the dead and injured were riding.
He says there are some stories of heroism attached to the tragedy.
The crash ranks among the worst rail disasters in Canadian history. A 7PM candle lighting service at the corner of Mill and Bridge Streets will be followed by a 745 presentation in the auditorium of the Old Town Hall in Almonte.
By Rick Stow