About Us

The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre (NORMHC) is a non-profit organization of volunteers whose interest and passions are focused on the preservation of:

a) our past heritage and to pay tribute to the community, it's founder and to the railway, and

b) to collect and preserve artifacts and to educate the public through the exhibition of these artifacts.

With the exception of summer staff, volunteers keep the Museum operating. Funding comes from memberships, Museum donations, grants and fundraising events.

Click here to see Our Exhibits.

NORMHC Milestones

1967	Mayor Harold Prescott secured a "Mountain" type 6077 steam engine for display in Capreol, later known as Prescott Park. Other remnants of railway days from Capreol's past are also in the park.
1969	The first wooden caboose was donated to Prescott Park by CN.
1982	A Heritage Committee was formed by a small group of volunteers to try to preserve the history of the town. They started collecting newspaper clippings and as much information as possible.
1983	The Heritage Committee tried to obtain a School Car but were given the Rules Instruction Car that currently sits in Prescott Park.
1991	Due to the deterioration of the first caboose, a second caboose was donated by CN to replace it and currently sits in Prescott Park.
1993	The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre was incorporated as a non-profit organization with it's own Board of Directors. Prescott Park was donated to NORMHC by the Town of Capreol. The Town of Capreol celebrated it's 75th Anniversary.
1994 - 1995	During the months of July and August, the caboose was open to the public with a display of railroad memorabilia.
1997	The house at 26 Bloor Street, formerly the home of the first CN Superintendent in Capreol, was purchased by the Town of Capreol to be used by NORMHC as a Museum.
1998	Grand opening of the Museum House in July.
2001	The arched gateway at the museum's streetfront was constructed. The museum house was designated as a heritage site.
2002	The slag pot car was donated to NOMRHC by Science North.
2004	NORMHC completed its feasibility study on the museum's expansion.
2005	The NORMHC Foundation was incorporated to provide financial support for the museum.
2006	The museum laid new rail in preparation of the arrival of new rolling stock.
2007	Prescott Park becomes home to INCO Electrics 101 and 116 as well as former CN Snow Plow #55208, steel caboose #79231 and baggage/warehouse car #60049. NORMHC completes the restoration of its rules instruction car.
2008	The museum, with assistance from the Prescott family and several community volunteers repaint steam-locomotive 6077.
2009	The museum opened its boxcar home exhibit. NORMHC hosts its first ever gold panning event on the Vermillion River. The museum completes its strategic plan.
2010	The museum opens its section man shed showcasing a variety of maintenance of way equipment.
2011	NORMHC opens its new mining exhibit with the arrival of a hot metal car from Vale. The display also incorporates a variety of undergound railroad equipment used in Falconbridge/Xtrata operations. The museum completes its Garden of Life to help promote and raise awareness for organ and tissue donation. New wrought iron perimetre fencing is also erected to protect the garden and enhance the look of the property.