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the 1980s it became apparent that the station was to be torn down and replaced by a
modern, heated and lighted shelter as had been done with other stations of the area. In 1986, a celebration was held
in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Orangedale Station. To the dismay of local residents, permission to
paint the station at the community’s expense could not be granted and plans for its
demolition continued.
In September 1986, a
group of “Friends of the Station” was assembled and from this group the
Orangedale Station Association was formed.
Under the direction of
this Association, such interested groups as the Lake Ainslie Historical Society, the Iona
Connection, the Municipal Advisory Council, the County Heritage Committee, the Inverness
County Council, as well as the Orangedale and Whycocomagh Historical Societies began
active lobbying of authorities to exert pressure to save the station.
The pressure of these
groups finally turned the tide, with both VIA and CN favouring the project. In 1988 the Orangedale Station Association was
granted ownership of the station and restoration work began.
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