Roundhouse Park

From the ashes of Toronto’s old Railway Lands arose a phoenix: Roundhouse Park. Roundhouse Park isn’t just green space. It’s a living museum, a testament to Toronto’s rich railway history. The star of Roundhouse Park is the John Street Roundhouse. Built between 1929 and 1931 for Canadian Pacific Railway, this magnificent structure once echoed with the hiss of steam and the clang of metal. Today, it houses the Toronto Railway Museum, Steam Whistle Brewing, and the Rec Room. Imagine, in its heyday, this roundhouse, with its 32 bays and massive 120-foot turntable, could service 32 locomotives at once! Railroaders even spoke of the “John Street polish,” a testament to the meticulous maintenance performed here. Roundhouse Park itself became city property in 1997. Wander the grounds and you’ll encounter more than just ghosts of steam engines. The park showcases a collection of vintage locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, and even a diesel multiple unit. Look for Canadian National Railway’s No. 6213, a powerful U-2-G 4-8-4 locomotive built in 1942. Or marvel at the Canadian Pacific 7020, an Alco S-2 from 1944. The Toronto Railway Museum, which opened in 2010, offers a deeper dive into the city’s railway past. Explore its collection and learn about the impact of the railway on Toronto’s development. And for a truly unique experience, take a ride on the miniature railway! It’s a journey through time, powered by a replica steam locomotive or a diesel-electric Whitcomb switcher. Don’t forget to visit the charming Don Station, originally built in 1896 and relocated to Roundhouse Park. It now serves as the ticket office for the miniature railway. So, as you stand here, amidst the revitalized landscape of Roundhouse Park, remember the echoes of the past. This is more than just a park; it’s a tribute to the ingenuity and the sweat that built a nation, one rail at a time.