The Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-05-18, Page 54School on wheels grand opening
By Joanne Carr
Klompen Feest 1983 will honor a very special old
railway car.
On Saturday, May 21 Clinton's Mayor Chester Archibald
will officially open the town's newest historical tourist
attraction, an old CNR railway car that for many years
was known as No. 15089, the "School On Wheels".
An important part of Ontario's educational history, the
converted railway car was used as a classroom in nor-
thern Ontario for 39 years.
Clinton native Fred Sloman, his wife Cela and family of
five made the railway coach their home and their life las it
travelled along a CNR line between Capreol and Foleyet,
a distance of 148 miles, bringing an education and social
life to children and adults in the remote northern
wilderness.
More than 1,000 children graduated from the Sloman
school between 1926 and 1964 and the school also served as
a community and social centre for the isolated families in
the north.
Author Elizabeth A. Willmot in Faces and Places Along
the Railway described the school and the Slomans' goals,
`1Their desire to provide an education for children of the
north country was only a portion of Fred and Cela
Sloman's plan. To dispel loneliness was also their aim,
and the warning given to them to keep doors locked and.
window blinds drawn at night was completely ignored.
Burning kerosene lamps in the coach windows, and pots of
flowering geraniums, daffodils and narcissus blooming in
every window ledge served as an invitation to wives of
railway section men, trappers and men who "rode the
rods" across Canada during the depression years. No one
was ever turned away, and no man was ever regarded as
a tramp. Cela Sloman mended clothes for these men, fed
them and packed a lunch for later use."
The Town of Clinton realizing the historical importance
of the School On Wheels purchased it last year and gave it
a special place of honor in Sloman Park.
Margaret Sloman, daughter of the late Fred Sloman,
has been instrumental in organizing volunteer crews .to
restore the old railway coach.
She plans to revive the coach as a special place for
children, with an electric train set travelling the northern
Ontario route once taken by the 15089 and a playhouse
filled with dolls and flowers. Local children will also help
with daily duties in its maintenance.
After years of travelling the tracks, bringing education
and happiness to hundreds and hundreds of people, the
• school car now enjoys a special retirement, still bringing
happiness and laughter to visitors.
Official opening of the School On Wheels will be held on
May 21 at 9 a.m. in the lovely Sloman Park.
The park is located west of Highway 4 south. Take High-
way 4 towards Exeter and turn right at Victoria Terrace.
Two blocks down, at the corner oT Matilda Street and
Victoria Terrace you will see the Sloman Park and school
car on the left side of the street. (See Clinton map on Page
27 for the exact location).
Please join in the Town of Clinton in this special
ceremony. Margaret and her volunteers will be eagerly
awaiting your arrival. The children will love it too.