Toronto Railway Museum & John Street Roundhouse at Roundhouse Park

By
Denise Marie
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Between 1980 and 1998 – Looking southwest toward the John Street roundhouse and water tower
Between 1980 and 1998 – Looking southwest toward the John Street roundhouse and water tower (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 78, ID 1)

The Toronto Railway Museum and John Street Roundhouse are located at 255 Bremner Blvd (bordered by Lower Simcoe St, Lake Shore Blvd W and Rees St) in Roundhouse Park.

Situated in downtown Toronto on former railway lands, the 17-acre park is home to the museum and an incredible collection of historic buildings, structures, vintage trains and railway equipment. It’s directly south of the CN Tower.

The Toronto Railway Museum

The museum was developed and is managed by the Toronto Railway Historical Association (TRHA). They present incredible exhibits, tours and educational programs that help us understand and appreciate just how rich Toronto’s railway heritage is.

Visitors can walk around the outdoor park filled with trains, towers, a turntable, railway artifacts and more, free of charge. Tickets can be purchased for entrance to the Toronto Railway Museum inside the historic John Street Roundhouse or for an informative guided tour of Roundhouse Park, or for a mini-train ride. Visit Toronto Railway Museum for more details.

John Street Roundhouse

September 26, 1929 - During construction of Canadian Pacific Railway's roundhouse and turntable. When the roundhouse was completed, it initially had 28 pie-shaped stalls, with four more stalls later added. The turntable was manufactured by the Dominion Bridge Company of Montreal and powered by two compressed air engines
September 26, 1929 – During construction of Canadian Pacific Railway’s roundhouse and turntable. When the roundhouse was completed, it initially had 28 pie-shaped stalls, with four more stalls later added (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 18043)

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) roundhouse, today known as the John Street Roundhouse, was constructed in just over four months in 1929 – beginning in May and opening in October. The complex was designed by the railway company’s Chief Engineer J.M.R. Fairbairn and built to service CPR’s 75 passenger trains that stopped at Union Station daily.

The roundhouse is made from concrete, brick and wood. It features large clerestory windows and a monitor roof to allow for abundant light and initially 28 pie-shaped stalls. To support the weight of the roundhouse, locomotives and railcars, approximately 3,000 cement piles, each 38 cm or 15 inches in diameter, were sunk to a depth of 12.2 m or 40 ft beneath the structure.

The roundhouse featured modern technologies of its time using a Direct Steaming Process, which propelled a locomotive onto the turntable and into a stall to be serviced. Once in the stall, it was attached to a steam line to keep the boiler at a reduced constant pressure until servicing was complete. Before the steam process, a locomotive would have a coal fire in its boiler from the turntable right through servicing. It was smokey and dangerous. The new direct steaming process was safer, quicker and better for the environment.

During its busiest years, from the 1930s to the 1950s, CPR’s John Street Roundhouse employed about 150 skilled, semi-skilled and apprentice workers, including boilermakers, blacksmiths, machinists, pipefitters, electricians, carpenters, engine wipers and cleaners, labourers and more. The locomotives serviced at the roundhouse were so well maintained that they became known in the industry as having the “John Street polish.”

At one point, 43 structures and several kilometres of track were on the property, plus four more stalls were added to the roundhouse, bringing the total to 32.

Around 1960, CPR retired the steam locomotives, so the roundhouse was mainly used to service diesel locomotives until 1982. The John Street Roundhouse closed in 1988, then handed the facility over to the city to be redeveloped as the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre. The complex was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.

If you’re interested in learning about the restoration of the John Street Roundhouse, see the video below.

2022 – Canadian Pacific "Cape Race" passenger car on the turntable at the John Street Roundhouse in downtown Toronto. The solarium lounge car featured an opulent interior and was designed for the comfort of passengers. It was made in Hamilton in 1929 at National Steel Car at the cost of $66,300
2022 – Canadian Pacific “Cape Race” passenger car on the turntable at the John Street Roundhouse in downtown Toronto. The solarium lounge car featured an opulent interior and was designed for the comfort of passengers

The Turntable

The 3-point turntable bridge is 36.6 m or 120 ft long and could easily accommodate the longest locomotive. It was used to rotate and direct a locomotive into a roundhouse stall for servicing, then once completed, turn it in the opposite direction for departure. The turntable was manufactured by the Dominion Bridge Company of Montreal and powered by two compressed air engines. Did you know that this bridge company also made the steel-truss roof of Maple Leaf Gardens?

Water Tower

Vast quantities of water were needed for the steam process, cleaning and maintenance of CPR’s fleet of locomotives and railcars. Sixty thousand gallons of water were stored in the tower, pumped in from Lake Ontario.

Coaling Tower

From the 1870s to the 1950s, steam that powered the locomotives was generated primarily by coal, so the yard had a coaling plant – a 350-ton elevated silo where sand and coal were stored. The sand was piped into the tower using compressed air. It was used for traction on wet or slippery rails and still is today. The coal was transferred from “hopper” rail cars and lifted by conveyor buckets to the top of the tower. A locomotive would be positioned underneath the chute then coal was funnelled into its tender, a special car to hold fuel for the locomotive.

The Coaling Tower was originally about 183 m or 600 ft to the east, near Lower Simcoe St and Bremner Blvd. In 1995, the tower had to be relocated to its present-day site for the construction of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It was one of the heaviest single objects moved in the country.

Roundhouse Park

The park features historic structures, including the Don Station, Cabin D and a Watchmen’s Shanty, as well as a carefully curated collection of restored, full-sized vintage trains and railway equipment.

Don Station

Built by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1896, Don Station was located on the south side of Queen St E and the west side of the Don River. The station was added for the convenience of passengers on the city’s east side so they didn’t have to make the trek to Union Station. In the early 1910s, the Don Station was moved 30.5 m or 100 ft south to make way for the present-day Riverside Bridge. When Don Station closed in 1967, the structure was moved to Todmorden Mills. It remained there for over four decades until it was relocated to Roundhouse Park in 2008.

2020 - The beautifully restored Cabin D and tool shed at Roundhouse Park. The two structures were originally located in the railway corridor, just west of the Bathurst Street Bridge. The wooden interlocking tower was built in 1890 by Grand Trunk Railway. It was one of five (lettered A through E) near Union Station that controlled track switches and signal lights
2020 – The beautifully restored Cabin D and tool shed at Roundhouse Park. The two structures were originally located in the railway corridor, just west of the Bathurst Street Bridge

Cabin D

Built in 1890 by Grand Trunk Railway, Cabin D and the tool shed were originally located in the railway corridor, just west of the Bathurst Street Bridge. The wooden interlocking tower was one of five (lettered A through E) near Union Station that controlled track switches and signal lights.

Cabin D also had switch tenders who rushed around to manually position the tracks using directions broadcast over the tower’s loudspeaker. This old-fashioned method was used at this location until the cabin was retired in 1983. That same year, Cabin D and the tool shed were relocated to the John Street Roundhouse. They were stored for several years before being fully restored and put on display in 2010 for the opening of the Toronto Railway Museum.

Watchman’s Shanty

Watchmen or gate tenders were stationed in small buildings located where railway tracks intersected with the city’s streets. Many of the shanties were mounted on 4.6 m or 15 ft towers for better views in all directions. When the watchman saw a train approaching, they manually lowered the gates, stopping vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the tracks, then raising the gates once the train passed. The shanties had large windows and were furnished with a stove and bench. The watchmen were employees of the rail company who had been injured on the job and needed less physical work.

Toronto’s first watchman’s shanty was installed in 1885 and located on Queen St W. Eventually, there were several gate tenders and shanties guarding crossings around the city; however, as the train frequency and Toronto’s population increased, these level crossings became more and more dangerous, injuring or killing hundreds over the years. So to solve these safety and traffic issues, underpasses, like the King Street West Railway Underpass, were constructed to carry tracks above the streets.

The watchman’s gatehouse at Roundhouse Park once guarded the rail crossing at John St. This particular shanty did not need to be elevated since the trains passing by it were going at a slow rate of speed, and at the time, there wasn’t too much vehicle traffic.

2020 - Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive and coal tower at Roundhouse Park. The lower portion of the CN Tower is in the background. Since this was a CN locomotive, it would have been serviced and maintained at the Canadian National Railways Spadina roundhouse, once located where the Rogers Centre is today
2020 – Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive and coal tower at Roundhouse Park. The lower portion of the CN Tower is in the background

Locomotives, Freight & Passenger Cars

There are many beautifully restored railway vehicles at the park, including the 1917 Fowler Boxcar, 1920 Caboose, 1906 Porter 0-4-0 Fireless Locomotive, 1967 GO Transit cab car, Pyke Crane and more.

The Canadian National 4-8-4 Northern steam locomotive was built in 1942 by the Montreal Locomotive Works company and used for passenger and freight service. During its 17-year career, the iron horse travelled over one million miles between Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. In 1960, #6213 was presented to the city by Canadian National Railways and put on display next to Stanley Barracks at Exhibition Place. The locomotive was moved to Roundhouse Park in 2009.

Did You Know?

  • The first passenger train began operating in Toronto in 1853, hauled by a wood-burning steam locomotive.
  • In the 1850s, there was not enough land to build rail lines in Toronto, so new land was created by filling in the harbour, extending the city’s shoreline south from its original location once near Front St.
  • In 1929, the CPR (John Street) roundhouse replaced the railway company’s previous roundhouse that was built on the same site in 1897. It also had a turntable; however, at only 26 m or 85 ft in length, it could not handle larger engines.
  • To encourage travel on its railway, Canadian Pacific Railway built and operated a series of luxury castle-like hotels, including the Royal York, along its rail lines across the country.
  • The area around the John Street Roundhouse extending from Strachan Ave in the west to Yonge St in the east was once known as the Railway Lands. By the 1980s, this real estate had become some of the most expensive in Canada.
  • A few of the city’s landmarks on property once used for railway purposes include the Rogers Centre, the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and Roy Thomson Hall.

Toronto Railway Museum Photos

1930 - Looking northeast towards the Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse (today known as the John Street Roundhouse) and the Royal York Hotel, which was also built and operated by CPR. The roundhouse facility was built to service the 75 passenger trains that stopped at downtown Toronto's Union Station daily
1930 – Looking northeast towards the Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse (today known as the John Street Roundhouse) and the Royal York Hotel, which was also built and operated by CPR. The roundhouse facility was built to service the 75 passenger trains that stopped at downtown Toronto’s Union Station daily (Toronto Public Library E1-58a)
Between 1980 and 1998 - An aerial view looking south towards the CPR roundhouse (today's John Street Roundhouse & Park), the Gardiner Expressway and Toronto Island. Canadian Pacific Railway opened the facility in 1929 to service their locomotives and railcars operating out of Union Station. When the facility closed in 1988, CPR handed it over to the city to be redeveloped as the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre
Between 1980 and 1998 – An aerial view looking south towards the CPR roundhouse (today’s John Street Roundhouse & Park), the Gardiner Expressway and Toronto Island. Canadian Pacific Railway opened the facility in 1929 to service their locomotives and railcars operating out of Union Station. When the facility closed in 1988, CPR handed it over to the city to be redeveloped as the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 59, ID 49)
Between 1980 and 1998 – Looking southwest towards the John Street Roundhouse and water tower, with the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Ontario in the background. On the roundhouse, notice the large clerestory windows and monitor roof, which provided abundant light into the building
Between 1980 and 1998 – Looking southwest towards the John Street Roundhouse and water tower, with the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Ontario in the background. On the roundhouse, notice the large clerestory windows and monitor roof, which provided abundant light into the building (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 78, ID 1)
1956 - A Canadian Pacific #1416 Diesel Locomotive EMD FP7 on the turntable at the CPR roundhouse, known today as the John Street Roundhouse
1956 – A Canadian Pacific #1416 Diesel Locomotive EMD FP7 on the turntable at the CPR roundhouse, known today as the John Street Roundhouse (Toronto Public Library S1-3641A)
2023 - The cab of the Canadian National F7 #9159 locomotive under the coaling tower at Roundhouse Park. It was built by General Motors Diesel in London, Ontario, in 1951
2023 – The cab of the Canadian National F7 #9159 locomotive under the coaling tower at Roundhouse Park. It was built by General Motors Diesel in London, Ontario, in 1951
September 26, 1929 - A view near the turntable during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway's John Street roundhouse. The photo also shows the coaling tower in its original location, which is near the present-day southwest corner of Lower Simcoe St and Bremner Blvd
September 26, 1929 – A view near the turntable during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s John Street roundhouse. The photo also shows the coaling tower in its original location, which is near the present-day southwest corner of Lower Simcoe St and Bremner Blvd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 18041)
2020 - A partial view of the John Street Roundhouse from the turntable at Roundhouse Park in downtown Toronto
2020 – A partial view of the John Street Roundhouse from the turntable at Roundhouse Park in downtown Toronto
2022 – Canadian Pacific "Cape Race" passenger car on the turntable at the John Street Roundhouse in downtown Toronto. The solarium lounge car featured an opulent interior and was designed for the comfort of passengers. It was made in Hamilton in 1929 at National Steel Car at the cost of $66,300
2022 – Canadian Pacific “Cape Race” passenger car on the turntable at the John Street Roundhouse in downtown Toronto. The solarium lounge car featured an opulent interior and was designed for the comfort of passengers. It was made in Hamilton in 1929 at National Steel Car at the cost of $66,300
1944 - The brand new CPR #7020 being delivered to Canadian Pacific Rail's Parkdale Yard. The workhorse locomotive was what's known as a switcher. It pulled out freight cars until a complete train was made
1944 – The brand new CPR #7020 being delivered to Canadian Pacific Rail’s Parkdale Yard. The workhorse locomotive was what’s known as a switcher. It pulled out freight cars until a complete train was made (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1056, Item 190)
2020 – Canadian Pacific Rail #7020 switcher type locomotive in front of the John Street Roundhouse in Toronto. This workhorse was manufactured in 1944 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York. The switcher was used to pull out freight cars until a complete train was made
2020 – Canadian Pacific Rail #7020 switcher type locomotive in front of the John Street Roundhouse in Toronto. This workhorse was manufactured in 1944 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York. The switcher was used to pull out freight cars until a complete train was made
September 26, 1929 - Inside the Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse as its construction was nearing completion. Building on the roundhouse began on May 22, 1929, and it was ready for use a little over four months later, in early October 1929. The roundhouse opened with 28 pie-shaped stalls, which was later increased to 32 stalls
September 26, 1929 – Inside the Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse as its construction was nearing completion. Building on the roundhouse began on May 22, 1929, and it was ready for use a little over four months later, in early October 1929. The roundhouse opened with 28 pie-shaped stalls, which was later increased to 32 stalls (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 18047)
September 26, 1929 - The Globe newspaper photographer captured this photo of the Royal York Hotel from inside the Canadian Pacific Railway's roundhouse at John St. The roundhouse officially opened about a week later. To encourage travel on its railway, CPR built and operated a series of luxury castle-like hotels, including the Royal York, along its rail lines across the country
September 26, 1929 – The Globe newspaper photographer captured this photo of the Royal York Hotel from inside the Canadian Pacific Railway’s roundhouse at John St. The roundhouse officially opened about a week later. To encourage travel on its railway, CPR built and operated a series of luxury castle-like hotels, including the Royal York, along its rail lines across the country (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 18046)
Between 1975 and 1981 – Looking north towards the Gardiner Expressway, the CPR roundhouse complex, the CN Tower and downtown Toronto
Between 1975 and 1981 – Looking north towards the Gardiner Expressway, the CPR roundhouse complex, the CN Tower and downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1462, File 732, Item 9)
2022 – Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Caboose in Roundhouse Park with the CN Tower in the background. The caboose was built in Hamilton in 1921 by the TH&B Railway. It features a steel sheet and woodside construction with an elevated observation area
2022 – Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Caboose in Roundhouse Park with the CN Tower in the background. The caboose was built in Hamilton in 1921 by the TH&B Railway. It features a steel sheet and woodside construction with an elevated observation area
September 26, 1929 - Looking east during construction of the coaling tower at the Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse complex. A locomotive would be positioned underneath the tower's four chutes to have coal fed into the locomotive's tender
September 26, 1929 – Looking east during construction of the coaling tower at the Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse complex. A locomotive would be positioned underneath the tower’s four chutes to have coal fed into the locomotive’s tender (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 18045)
2020 - Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive and coal tower at Roundhouse Park. The lower portion of the CN Tower is in the background. Since this was a CN locomotive, it would have been serviced and maintained at the Canadian National Railways Spadina roundhouse, once located where the Rogers Centre is today
2020 – Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive and coal tower at Roundhouse Park. The lower portion of the CN Tower is in the background. Since this was a CN locomotive, it would have been serviced and maintained at the Canadian National Railways Spadina roundhouse, once located where the Rogers Centre is today
Between 1980 and 1998 - Looking south toward the original site of the coaling tower with the Gardiner Expressway and Toronto Island in the background. The tower was moved 183 m or 600 ft west to its current location in Roundhouse Park in 1995 for the construction of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It was one of the heaviest single objects moved in Canada
Between 1980 and 1998 – Looking south toward the original site of the coaling tower with the Gardiner Expressway and Toronto Island in the background. The tower was moved 183 m or 600 ft west to its current location in Roundhouse Park in 1995 for the construction of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It was one of the heaviest single objects moved in Canada (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 59, Item 197)
2020 – The coaling tower at downtown Toronto's Roundhouse Park. The concrete tower stands 23 m or 75 ft high. It was built in 1929 and originally situated near Lower Simcoe St and Bremner Blvd. The 350-ton tower was moved to its present-day location in 1995 for the construction of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
2020 – The coaling tower at downtown Toronto’s Roundhouse Park. The concrete tower stands 23 m or 75 ft high. It was built in 1929 and originally situated near Lower Simcoe St and Bremner Blvd. The 350-ton tower was moved to its present-day location in 1995 for the construction of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
2020 - Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive was manufactured by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1942. Over its 17-year career, the iron hose hauled passenger and freight trains more than one million miles from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan. In 1960, #6213 was presented to the City of Toronto by Canadian National Railway and was put on display next to Stanley Barracks at Exhibition Place. In 2009, the locomotive was moved to Roundhouse Park
2020 – Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive was manufactured by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1942. Over its 17-year career, the iron hose hauled passenger and freight trains more than one million miles from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan. In 1960, #6213 was presented to the City of Toronto by Canadian National Railway and was put on display next to Stanley Barracks at Exhibition Place. In 2009, the locomotive was moved to Roundhouse Park
Early 1980s - Looking southeast towards Cabin D and the tool shed at its original location west of Bathurst Street Bridge. The cabin and shed were transported to the John Street Roundhouse in 1983, where they were stored for several years. Cabin D was fully restored and put on display in 2010 during the Toronto Railway Museum's first year
Early 1980s – Looking southeast towards Cabin D and the tool shed at its original location west of Bathurst Street Bridge. The cabin and shed were transported to the John Street Roundhouse in 1983, where they were stored for several years. Cabin D was fully restored and put on display in 2010 during the Toronto Railway Museum’s first year (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 59, Item 54)
2022 - Cabin D and the tool shed at Roundhouse Park. The structures were originally located along the mainline rail corridor, just west of Bathurst St, where many tracks diverged
2022 – Cabin D and the tool shed at Roundhouse Park. The structures were originally located along the mainline rail corridor, just west of Bathurst St, where many tracks diverged
1994 - Signal Cabin D, formerly located near the Bathurst Street Bridge, was relocated to the John Street Roundhouse in 1983. The cabin was stored at the roundhouse for several years before undergoing a complete restoration for the opening of the Toronto Railway Museum in 2010
1994 – Signal Cabin D, formerly located near the Bathurst Street Bridge, was relocated to the John Street Roundhouse in 1983. The cabin was stored at the roundhouse for several years before undergoing a complete restoration for the opening of the Toronto Railway Museum in 2010 (Archives of Ontario I0021482)
2022 - The beautifully restored Cabin D at Roundhouse Park in downtown Toronto. Built in 1890 by the Grand Trunk Railway, Cabin D was one of five towers which controlled signal lights and track switches near Union Station. Cabin D was located in the railway corridor, just west of the Bathurst Street Bridge
2022 – The beautifully restored Cabin D at Roundhouse Park in downtown Toronto. Built in 1890 by the Grand Trunk Railway, Cabin D was one of five towers which controlled signal lights and track switches near Union Station. Cabin D was located in the railway corridor, just west of the Bathurst Street Bridge
2020 - The mechanical interlocking system inside Cabin D contains a series of levers that were once used to control the signals and switches in the rail corridor west of the Bathurst Street Bridge
2020 – The mechanical interlocking system inside Cabin D contains a series of levers that were once used to control the signals and switches in the rail corridor west of the Bathurst Street Bridge
2020 – Vintage railway lanterns, oil cans and wrenches on display inside Cabin D at Roundhouse Park
2020 – Vintage railway lanterns, oil cans and wrenches on display inside Cabin D at Roundhouse Park
April 5, 1916 - Looking southeast towards the Grand Trunk Railway yards, Cabin D and the tool shed near the Bathurst Street Bridge. Notice Fort York on the far right and Toronto Island in the distance
April 5, 1916 – Looking southeast towards the Grand Trunk Railway yards, Cabin D and the tool shed near the Bathurst Street Bridge. Notice Fort York on the far right and Toronto Island in the distance (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1044)
1983 - Cabin D being dismantled and moved from its original location on the railway corridor east of the Bathurst Street Bridge to the John Street Roundhouse. Notice the levers which controlled the signals and switches are exposed at the top of the lower portion of the cabin
1983 – Cabin D being dismantled and moved from its original location on the railway corridor east of the Bathurst Street Bridge to the John Street Roundhouse. Notice the levers which controlled the signals and switches are exposed at the top of the lower portion of the cabin (1983, where they were stored for several years. Cabin D was fully restored and put on display in 2010 during the Toronto Railway Museum’s first year (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 464, Item 13)
2020 - The beautifully restored Cabin D and tool shed at Roundhouse Park. The two structures were originally located in the railway corridor, just west of the Bathurst Street Bridge. The wooden interlocking tower was built in 1890 by Grand Trunk Railway. It was one of five (lettered A through E) near Union Station that controlled track switches and signal lights
2020 – The beautifully restored Cabin D and tool shed at Roundhouse Park. The two structures were originally located in the railway corridor, just west of the Bathurst Street Bridge. The wooden interlocking tower was built in 1890 by Grand Trunk Railway. It was one of five (lettered A through E) near Union Station that controlled track switches and signal lights
September 28, 1910 - Don Station was built by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1896 so that passengers in the east didn’t have to make the trek to Union Station. In 1967, Don Station closed, and the structure was moved to Todmorden Mills. After 40 years, the Don Station building was relocated to Roundhouse Park in 2008. On a side note, the Don River Bridge at Queen St E was replaced with the present-day Riverside Bridge in 1911
September 28, 1910 – Don Station was built by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1896 so that passengers in the east didn’t have to make the trek to Union Station. In 1967, Don Station closed, and the structure was moved to Todmorden Mills. After 40 years, the Don Station building was relocated to Roundhouse Park in 2008. On a side note, the Don River Bridge at Queen St E was replaced with the present-day Riverside Bridge in 1911 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1914)
September 12, 1910 - Canadian Pacific Railway's Don Station before being moved 30.5 m or 100 ft south to make way for the present-day, high-level Queen Street Viaduct or what is referred to today as the Riverside Bridge
September 12, 1910 – Canadian Pacific Railway’s Don Station before being moved 30.5 m or 100 ft south to make way for the present-day, high-level Queen Street Viaduct or what is referred to today as the Riverside Bridge (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 73)
August 28, 2012 - The Don Station at Roundhouse Park was built in 1896 by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Originally located on the south side of Queen St E, on the west side of the Don River, it was a station of convenience so that passengers in the east end did not have to make the trek to Union Station
August 28, 2012 – The Don Station at Roundhouse Park was built in 1896 by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Originally located on the south side of Queen St E, on the west side of the Don River, it was a station of convenience so that passengers in the east end did not have to make the trek to Union Station (City of Toronto Archives, Peter Mintz Fonds, Fonds 589, Item 218)
2020 – The former Don Station building is on display at Roundhouse Park in downtown Toronto. It was built in 1896 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and originally located on the south side of Queen St and the west side of the Don River. The railway company added the station for the convenience of passengers in the city's east end, so they would not have to travel to Union Station. When Don Station closed in 1967, the structure was moved to Todmorden Mills. It remained there for over four decades until it was relocated to Roundhouse Park in 2008
2020 – The former Don Station building is on display at Roundhouse Park in downtown Toronto. It was built in 1896 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and originally located on the south side of Queen St and the west side of the Don River. The railway company added the station for the convenience of passengers in the city’s east end, so they would not have to travel to Union Station. When Don Station closed in 1967, the structure was moved to Todmorden Mills. It remained there for over four decades until it was relocated to Roundhouse Park in 2008
1980s – Looking southeast toward the John Street Roundhouse, Lake Ontario and Toronto Island. Notice the CN Tower's concrete hexagonal pillar in the left foreground
1980s – Looking southeast toward the John Street Roundhouse, Lake Ontario and Toronto Island. Notice the CN Tower‘s concrete hexagonal pillar in the left foreground (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 37, Item 154)
1980s – Looking north toward the John Street roundhouse and water tower with what's known today as the InterContinental Toronto Centre in the background
1980s – Looking north toward the John Street roundhouse and water tower with what’s known today as the InterContinental Toronto Centre in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 37, Item 149)
2020 - Looking south in Roundhouse Park towards the water tower next to the John Street Roundhouse, which is today home to Steam Whistle Brewing. Notice the Gardiner Expressway in the background. The tower stored 60,000 gallons of water used for the steam process and maintenance of the Canadian Pacific Railway locomotives and passenger cars
2020 – Looking south in Roundhouse Park towards the water tower next to the John Street Roundhouse, which is today home to Steam Whistle Brewing. Notice the Gardiner Expressway in the background. The tower stored 60,000 gallons of water used for the steam process and maintenance of the Canadian Pacific Railway locomotives and passenger cars
September 26, 1929 - During construction of Canadian Pacific Railway's roundhouse and turntable. When the roundhouse was completed, it initially had 28 pie-shaped stalls, with four more stalls later added. The turntable was manufactured by the Dominion Bridge Company of Montreal and powered by two compressed air engines
September 26, 1929 – During construction of Canadian Pacific Railway’s roundhouse and turntable. When the roundhouse was completed, it initially had 28 pie-shaped stalls, with four more stalls later added. The turntable was manufactured by the Dominion Bridge Company of Montreal and powered by two compressed air engines (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 18043)
Between 1980 and 1998 - An aerial view of the John Street Roundhouse. Notice the water tower on the left, the turntable in the centre and the Gardiner Expressway at the top. The photo was likely taken from the top of the CN Tower
Between 1980 and 1998 – An aerial view of the John Street Roundhouse. Notice the water tower on the left, the turntable in the centre and the Gardiner Expressway at the top. The photo was likely taken from the top of the CN Tower (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 83, Item 5)
1914 - Looking northeast towards pedestrians, horse-drawn wagons and the elevated watchman's shanty at the Bay St crossing. When the watchman saw a train approaching, they climbed down the tower and manually lowered the gates, stopping vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the tracks, then raising the gates once the train passed
1914 – Looking northeast towards pedestrians, horse-drawn wagons and the elevated watchman’s shanty at the Bay St crossing. When the watchman saw a train approaching, they climbed down the tower and manually lowered the gates, stopping vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the tracks, then raising the gates once the train passed (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1548, Series 393, Item 987)
1914 - Looking west towards the elevated watchman's shanty at the Bay St crossing. Notice the policeman in the centre also guarding the crossing. The tall structure in the distance was the city's second Union Station
1914 – Looking west towards the elevated watchman’s shanty at the Bay St crossing. Notice the policeman in the centre also guarding the crossing. The tall structure in the distance was the city’s second Union Station (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 71, Item 6)
January 29, 1930 - A watchman's shanty on Eastern Ave at the Don River. Watchmen or gate tenders were positioned in small structures overlooking guarded crossings where the city's streets intersected with railway tracks. When a train was approaching, the watchman climbed down the tower and manually lowered the gates, stopping vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the tracks, then raising the gates once the train passed by
January 29, 1930 – A watchman’s shanty on Eastern Ave at the Don River. Watchmen or gate tenders were positioned in small structures overlooking crossings where the city’s streets intersected with railway tracks. When a train was approaching, the watchman climbed down the tower and manually lowered the gates, stopping vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the tracks, then raising the gates once the train passed by (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1344)
Circa 1980 - Looking north up John St, south of Front St W towards the watchman's shanty at the level crossing. This is the shanty that's on display at Roundhouse Park
Circa 1980 – Looking north up John St, south of Front St W towards the watchman’s shanty at the level crossing. This is the shanty that’s on display at Roundhouse Park (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 51, Item 133)
2020 - The watchman's shanty at Roundhouse Park was originally located at the level railway crossing at John St. This particular shanty was not elevated since trains travelling through busy industrial areas had to travel at a lower rate of speed
2020 – The watchman’s shanty at Roundhouse Park was originally located at the level railway crossing at John St. This particular shanty was not elevated since trains travelling through busy industrial areas had to travel at a lower rate of speed
2020 – The 50-Ton Diesel-Electric Whitcomb center-cab switcher in front of the John Street Roundhouse in Toronto. It was made by the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, Ontario, in 1950. It was the first locomotive acquired by the Toronto Railway Museum, so it was given the number "1"
2020 – The 50-Ton Diesel-Electric Whitcomb center-cab switcher in front of the John Street Roundhouse in Toronto. It was made by the Canadian Locomotive Company in Kingston, Ontario, in 1950. It was the first locomotive acquired by the Toronto Railway Museum, so it was given the number “1”
2020 - GO Transit Hawker-Siddeley RTC-85SP/D cab car built in 1967 in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The single-level car #104 was retired by GO in 1994. It was sold and later served for commuter operations, then passenger service in Quebec. The car was reacquired by Metrolinx in January 2017, restored and is now on permanent display at Roundhouse Park
2020 – GO Transit Hawker-Siddeley RTC-85SP/D cab car built in 1967 in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The single-level car #104 was retired by GO in 1994. It was sold and later served for commuter operations, then passenger service in Quebec. The car was reacquired by Metrolinx in January 2017, restored and is now on permanent display at Roundhouse Park
2020 – Inside the GO Transit Hawker-Siddeley RTC-85SP/D cab car built in 1967. During that year, the minimum fare for trips between stations up to 12 miles apart was 42¢. The maximum fare was $2 for the 95-kilometre ride between Hamilton and Pickering (the two outer stations). Children's fare was 25¢
2020 – Inside the GO Transit Hawker-Siddeley RTC-85SP/D cab car built in 1967. During that year, the minimum fare for trips between stations up to 12 miles apart was 42¢. The maximum fare was $2 for the 95-kilometre ride between Hamilton and Pickering (the two outer stations). Children’s fare was 25¢
August 20, 1972 – Looking southeast from the Shell Oil Tower with a view of Stanley Barracks (when it was home to the Marine Museum of Upper Canada), a parking lot and Lake Ontario. Also, notice the Edward “Ned” Hanlan statue and Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive. The statue has been relocated and is on display at Hanlan’s Point ferry dock, and the locomotive to Roundhouse Park
August 20, 1972 – Looking southeast from the Shell Oil Tower with a view of Stanley Barracks (when it was home to the Marine Museum of Upper Canada), a parking lot and Lake Ontario. Also, notice the Edward “Ned” Hanlan statue and Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive. The statue has been relocated and is on display at Hanlan’s Point ferry dock, and the locomotive to Roundhouse Park (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 94, Item 19)
2020 - Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive was manufactured by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1942. Over its 17-year career, the iron hose hauled passenger and freight trains more than one million miles from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan. In 1960, #6213 was presented to the City of Toronto by Canadian National Railway and was put on display next to Stanley Barracks at Exhibition Place. In 2009, the locomotive was moved to Roundhouse Park
2020 – Canadian National’s 4-8-4 Northern #6213 steam locomotive was manufactured by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1942. Over its 17-year career, the iron hose hauled passenger and freight trains more than one million miles from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan. In 1960, #6213 was presented to the City of Toronto by Canadian National Railway and was put on display next to Stanley Barracks at Exhibition Place. In 2009, the locomotive was moved to Roundhouse Park
2020 - A mural based on David A Oram's painting 'A John Street Morning" showing two Canadian Pacific Railway locomotives is located next to the coaling tower at Roundhouse Park. Notice the CN Tower in the background
2020 – A mural based on David A Oram‘s painting ‘A John Street Morning” showing two Canadian Pacific Railway locomotives is located next to the coaling tower at Roundhouse Park. Notice the CN Tower in the background
2020 - Canadian Pacific Railway Fowler Boxcar #188625 was built in 1917. Made of wood with steel framing, it was the most common type of boxcar. CPR owed 33,000 and used them to transport packaged freight along with grain and other bulk items
2020 – Canadian Pacific Railway Fowler Boxcar #188625 was built in 1917. Made of wood with steel framing, it was the most common type of boxcar. CPR owed 33,000 and used them to transport packaged freight along with grain and other bulk items
2022 – Canadian Pacific "Jackman" passenger car at Toronto's Roundhouse Park. The car was created in Montreal in 1931 by the Canadian Car & Foundry. It was originally a 14-section sleeper and was later altered for use by maintenance crews. Notice the Rogers Centre and the base of the CN Tower in the background
2022 – Canadian Pacific “Jackman” passenger car at Toronto’s Roundhouse Park. The car was created in Montreal in 1931 by the Canadian Car & Foundry. It was originally a 14-section sleeper and was later altered for use by maintenance crews. Notice the Rogers Centre and the base of the CN Tower in the background
2020 - The Porter 0-4-0 Fireless Locomotive is on display in front of the John Street Roundhouse in Roundhouse Park. Built in 1906, this 6-ton narrow-gauge engine was operated at the Plymouth Cordage Company plant in Welland, Ontario and retired in 1956
2020 – The Porter 0-4-0 Fireless Locomotive is on display in front of the John Street Roundhouse in Roundhouse Park. Built in 1906, this 6-ton narrow-gauge engine was operated at the Plymouth Cordage Company plant in Welland, Ontario and retired in 1956
2020 - Canadian National GP7 #4803 Locomotive on display in Toronto's Roundhouse Park. Built in 1953 by General Motors Diesel in London, Ontario, this is a rare high-nose diesel-electric road-switching locomotive, and it's nearly mechanically complete
2020 – Canadian National GP7 #4803 Locomotive on display in Toronto’s Roundhouse Park. Built in 1953 by General Motors Diesel in London, Ontario, this is a rare high-nose diesel-electric road-switching locomotive, and it’s nearly mechanically complete
2022 – Reinhart Vinegars RVLX101 freight car at Roundhouse Park. Built in 1938 for the Reinhart Vinegars company, which is based in Stayner, Ontario, this rare wooden tank car is only one of two in existence
2022 – Reinhart Vinegars RVLX101 freight car at Roundhouse Park. Built in 1938 for the Reinhart Vinegars company, which is based in Stayner, Ontario, this rare wooden tank car is only one of two in existence
2020 – Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Caboose in Roundhouse Park was built in 1921. The bright orange Canadian National Caboose #79144 in the rear was originally a wooden boxcar manufactured by Nova Scotia's Eastern Car Company in 1920. In the mid-1950s, CN re-built it into a caboose
2020 – Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Caboose in Roundhouse Park was built in 1921. The bright orange Canadian National Caboose #79144 in the rear was originally a wooden boxcar manufactured by Nova Scotia’s Eastern Car Company in 1920. In the mid-1950s, CN re-built it into a caboose
2020 - The interior of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Caboose had a stove for cooking and heating. When railway crews had a layover away from home, they would use their assigned caboose as a place to rest
2020 – The interior of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Caboose had a stove for cooking and heating. When railway crews had a layover away from home, they would use their assigned caboose as a place to rest
2020 – Canadian Pacific Railway schedule board for the actual summer of 1971 timetable. The board is on display inside the Toronto Railway Museum in the John Street Roundhouse at 255 Bremner Blvd
2020 – Canadian Pacific Railway schedule board for the actual summer of 1971 timetable. The board is on display inside the Toronto Railway Museum in the John Street Roundhouse at 255 Bremner Blvd
2020 - Toronto Railway Museum sign on an antique four-wheeled baggage cart at Roundhouse Park
2020 – Toronto Railway Museum sign on an antique four-wheeled baggage cart at Roundhouse Park
1920s - Architect's drawing of the Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse and yard. The complex was designed by CPR's Chief Engineer John Morrice Roger Fairbairn
1920s – Architect’s drawing of the Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse and yard. The complex was designed by CPR’s Chief Engineer John Morrice Roger Fairbairn (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 83, ID 6)
2021 – The heritage plaque reads: John Street Roundhouse "This roundhouse complex was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1929 to service the steam locomotives of its passenger trains using nearby Union Station. The 32-stall roundhouse featured the most modern technology. Its direct steaming facility was the first of its kind in Canada, allowing a faster and more economical operation, and a smokeless environment. Abundant natural light is provided by its monitor roof and large windows. The switch from steam power to diesel, completed by the CPR by 1960, spelled the end for Canadian roundhouses. The John Street complex was closed in 1982." Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Government of Canada
2021 – The heritage plaque reads:

John Street Roundhouse

“This roundhouse complex was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1929 to service the steam locomotives of its passenger trains using nearby Union Station. The 32-stall roundhouse featured the most modern technology. Its direct steaming facility was the first of its kind in Canada, allowing a faster and more economical operation, and a smokeless environment. Abundant natural light is provided by its monitor roof and large windows. The switch from steam power to diesel, completed by the CPR by 1960, spelled the end for Canadian roundhouses. The John Street complex was closed in 1982.”

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Government of Canada
2021 – The heritage plaque reads: Brotherhood Of Sleeping Car Porters “For several decades until the late 1980s, this site was a large coach yard where sleeping car porters working for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) prepared passenger cars for travel to the United States and across Canada, which could take up to four days and nights. Black men were preferred for the job because of their long history in domestic service to whites. Porters working for Canadian railways came from Black communities in Canada, but were also recruited from the United States and the Caribbean. Porters faced institutional racism in all aspects of their work: their pay was lower, they were barred from promotions to supervisory positions, and they were excluded from white railway workers’ unions. They began to organize, most successfully in 1939, by joining forces with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), an American union created in 1925. On May 18, 1945, the BSCP became the first Black union in Canada to sign an agreement with its employer, the CPR. Among other benefits, porters’ starting salaries increased, they received pay for downtime on the road, and, after 1955, they could be promoted to sleeping car conductor. The BCSP's organizing efforts and civil rights advocacy left a powerful legacy that influenced human rights policy and labour relations in Canada.” Heritage Toronto 2017 Located in Roundhouse Park at 255 Bremner Blvd in Downtown Toronto
2021 – The heritage plaque reads:

Brotherhood Of Sleeping Car Porters

“For several decades until the late 1980s, this site was a large coach yard where sleeping car porters working for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) prepared passenger cars for travel to the United States and across Canada, which could take up to four days and nights. Black men were preferred for the job because of their long history in domestic service to whites. Porters working for Canadian railways came from Black communities in Canada, but were also recruited from the United States and the Caribbean.

Porters faced institutional racism in all aspects of their work: their pay was lower, they were barred from promotions to supervisory positions, and they were excluded from white railway workers’ unions. They began to organize, most successfully in 1939, by joining forces with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), an American union created in 1925.

On May 18, 1945, the BSCP became the first Black union in Canada to sign an agreement with its employer, the CPR. Among other benefits, porters’ starting salaries increased, they received pay for downtime on the road, and, after 1955, they could be promoted to sleeping car conductor.

The BCSP’s organizing efforts and civil rights advocacy left a powerful legacy that influenced human rights policy and labour relations in Canada.”

Heritage Toronto 2017
Located in Roundhouse Park at 255 Bremner Blvd in Downtown Toronto
1910 - Goads Map showing the original location of Don Station before being moved 30.5 m or 100 ft south to make way for the present-day Riverside Bridge, constructed in 1911
1910 – Goads Map showing the original location of Don Station before being moved 30.5 m or 100 ft south to make way for the present-day Riverside Bridge, constructed in 1911 (Toronto Public Library)
1912 - Goads Map showing the Don Station after being moved 30.5 m or 100 ft south to make way for the present-day Riverside Bridge, constructed in 1911
1912 – Goads Map showing the Don Station after being moved 30.5 m or 100 ft south to make way for the present-day Riverside Bridge, constructed in 1911 (Toronto Public Library)

The John Street Roundhouse Video

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