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| Memory Junction
Museum, Brighton |
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Location: A railway museum in
Brighton, Ontario, situated in the original Grand Trunk Station. Directions: Take Highway 401 to exit 509 and head south to Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street and left at Maplewood. The museum is at the end of the road. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: Canadian National Railway freight, VIA Rail passenger services, Canadian Pacific Railway freight. Remarks: A railway enthusiast's dream. The museum is full of interest artefacts (both railway and agricultural). The CN Kingston sub is literally on the doorstep and the CP Belleville sub is also clearly visible. No doubt your visit will be punctuated by frequent trains! Outside the museum, there is a collection of rolling stock ranging from a GTR steam locomotive to CP Angus cabooses. Updated: 5 November 2012 |
| Cobourg |
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Location: A small town in
Southern Ontario. The VIA Rail station is in the middle of town. Directions: Take Highway 401 to exit 474. Head south along what is Division St. The turn into the station is between the two railway underpasses, on the right. Quite a few VIA services stop at Cobourg. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: Canadian National Railway freight, VIA Rail passenger services, Canadian Pacific Railway freight. Remarks: An excellent location, especially for CN and VIA. The station is between the CN and CP lines. This is one of the few places along the lakeshore where the CP line is actually to the south of the CN line. The location is popular with trainspotters and it is likely that you will meet a few. The CP line is somewhat overgrown and is not very good for photos. However, the CN/VIA line is excellent with a gentle, banked curve which lends itself to more interesting photos. Improvements to the station, including a second platform, are planned for the next few years. Updated: 6 February 2010 |
| Port Hope |
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Location: A small town in
Southern Ontario. The viaducts are on the lakeshore. Directions: Take Highway 401 to the Toronto Rd. exit in Port Hope. Head south and turn left at Ridout St. Ridout St. becomes Walton St. Turn south on Queen St. and you will reach the twin viaducts. There is plenty of free parking in the area. A very limited number of VIA trains also stop at Port Hope Station. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: Canadian National Railway freight, VIA Rail passenger services, Canadian Pacific Railway freight. Remarks: There are several excellent locations for rail photography in Port Hope. The most obvious is the twin viaducts (the southern one carries CN and VIA while the northern one carries CP) which make for excellent photographs at all times of the day. Traffic can be anticipated by listening for the hornblasts from either direction as trains near the viaduct. From the viaducts, you can walk to the west along Hayward St. towards the VIA station if you want photographs of CN and VIA up-close, CP is not clearly visible from the station. Updated: 29 October 2009 |
| Lovekin |
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Location: Intersection of
Stevenson Rd. and Lakeshore Rd. near Newcastle, Ontario. Directions: Take Highway 401 to the Mill St. exit in Newcastle. Head south on Mill St. and follow directions to the Port of Newcastle. At the water, turn left onto Lakeshore Road and follow it to the railway. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: Canadian National Railway freight, VIA Rail passenger services, Canadian Pacific Railway freight. Remarks: Lovekin is only a crossroads on the map. This is an excellent spot as the CN and CP mainlines run parallel. The CN lines pass under a very nice wooden bridge while the CP lines are protected by a level crossing. There is normally a good deal of traffic and both lines are clearly visible at all times of the year. Updated: 14 August 2008 |
| Oshawa
GO/VIA Station |
|
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Location: Intersection of Bloor
St. West and Thornton Rd. South in Oshawa, Ontario Directions: Take Highway 401 to the Thickson Rd. exit (Whitby). Turn south on Thickson Rd. and turn left at Victoria St. Follow Victoria St. to the station, it is on the south side (by then the road is renamed Bloor St. West). Alternatively, take a Lakeshore East GO Train from Toronto Union Station to Oshawa. You can also take any VIA service stopping at Oshawa. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: GO Transit commuter trains, VIA Rail passenger services, Canadian National Railway freights and some shunting on the Canadian Pacific Railway spur. Remarks: VIA's platforms at Oshawa have been rebuilt and an enormous footbridge has been installed to reach the new island platform. The VIA Rail platform is open to the public and photography is permitted. You may be asked to leave the island platform when no trains are due, but by the station building is still fine. The GO Transit platform is a fare-paid zone and GO Transit is touchy about photography on their property. The Station sees at least two trains per hour. You can watch CN freights travelling through the station or sometimes you can watch shunting in the yard directly south of the station. To the east of the platforms, a CP spur crosses over the line and shunting can be observed daily. Updated: 5 November 2012 |
| Hopkins
St. Overpass, Whitby |
|
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Location: Hopkins St. South in
Whitby, Ontario. Directions: Take Highway 401 to the Thickson Rd. exit (Whitby). Turn south on Thickson Rd. and then turn right on Victoria St. Follow Victoria St. until you reach Hopkins St. South, turn left and drive to the overpass. Map link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: GO Transit commuter trains, VIA Rail passenger services and Canadian National Railway freights. Remarks: This overpass offers a great view of the railway lines below. Traffic is usually about 3 or 4 trains per hour. This view is completely unobstructed and great for a camera with a zoom lens. From here, you have plenty of warning of approaching trains as you can see the Oshawa GO/VIA station to the east and the Whitby GO station to the west. Be careful as there is a pedestrian walkway on one side of the bridge only and road traffic is quite heavy on weekdays. The bridge is also quite windy and is not recommended during the winter months due to the wind-chill. This spot also allows you to observe construction of GO Transit's new maintenance facility on both sides of the bridge. Updated: 5 November 2012 |
| South
Blair St. Level
Crossing, Whitby |
|
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Location: Near the intersection
of South Blair St. and Victoria St. in Whitby, Ontario. Directions: Take Highway 401 to Thickson Rd. exit (Whitby). Turn south on Thickson Rd. and then right on Victoria St. Follow Victoria St. to South Blair St. Turn left. Alternatively, take a Lakeshore East GO Train to Whitby GO station. Walk south on Brock St. to Victoria St. and walk east on Victoria St. until you reach South Blair St. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: GO Transit commuter trains, VIA Rail passenger services and Canadian National Railway freights. Remarks: This is a good location when the greenery had died back (it is best between October and May). Views are best when shooting eastbound trains but westbound trains are clearly visible in winter. Thanks to the crossing warning lights, you will have plenty of warning of approaching trains. As part of GO Transit's new maintenance facility (currently being built next to this spot), the crossing is slated to be replaced with an underpass. Updated: 5 November 2012 |
| Rouge
Park Bridge, Rouge Hill (Scarborough) |
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Location: A rail bridge seen
from the Lake Ontario waterfront. Directions; Take a Lakeshore East GO Train to Rouge Hill station. Then walk nearly two miles to the east along Lawrence Ave. Walk through Rouge Park to the rail bridge and walk underneath it towards the lake. The view is now behind you. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: GO Transit commuter trains, VIA Rail passenger trains. A CN local freight uses the line a few times a week. Remarks: An excellent vantage point, especially on very calm mornings when the water reflects trains on the bridge. The best shots are before 08.30 as the sun lights the trains well. A quiet location and a pleasure to visit. Updated: 21 April 2010 |
| Rosedale Footbridge,
Toronto |
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Location: A pedestrian
footbridge over the busy CP North Toronto Sub in the Rosedale area of
Toronto. Directions: The bridge is located on Summerhill Avenue and parking is limited in the area. The easiest way to reach the bridge is to take the 82 bus from Rosedale Subway station. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: Frequent Canadian Pacific freights, yard transfers and locmotives moves. Remarks: A very good spot to view lots of CP activity. The area is residential and the locals are both friendly and used to people photographing trains. Traffic on the line is busy all day as this is CP's main route through Toronto. The view for westbound trains is somewhat restricted due to the bridge and hydro wires, but the view for eastbound trains is very good. The road noise is distracting, but the singing rails should give you ample warning of uncoming trains. Updated: 20 September 2010. |
| Skywalk Entrance,
Toronto |
|
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Note:
Construction of the new aquarium is now complete and this location is
once again accessible. Several trees have been removed, improving the
sightlines looking west. Location: At the base of the CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario. Directions: Take any train to Toronto Union Station. Don’t bother trying to drive as parking is either expensive or non-existent. At Toronto Union, walk to the Great Hall, admire it and then begin to follow the signs for the Skywalk or the CN Tower. Walk west through the Skywalk and follow it over the tracks. When you arrive at the doors at the west end of the Skywalk, turn right and you will find a lookout beside the tracks. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: GO Transit commuter trains, VIA Rail passenger services, Amtrak passenger services (to/from New York City) and very occasional Canadian National Railway freights. Remarks: This is an excellent location at all times. Here you can clearly see the west end of the Toronto Union platforms. I would recommend visiting this location between 7am and 9am (weekdays) for the most trains and an overcast day will make for better lighting angles. During the morning rush hour it is not uncommon for three or four trains to be arriving/departing at the same time, which creates a very dynamic atmosphere and makes for good photos. Directly south of this excellent trainspotting location is the former CP John Street Roundhouse. Several stalls are being restored by the Toronto Railway Historical Association and have been as the Toronto Railway Museum. You can see vintage stock being stored on the site. While you are in the area, the CN Tower also offers some good aerial views of the other rail facilities in downtown Toronto. Updated: 29 December 2013 |
| Toronto Railway Museum |
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Location: Near the base of the
CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario Directions: Take any train to Toronto Union Station. Don’t bother trying to drive as parking is either expensive or non-existent. At Toronto Union, walk to the Great Hall, admire it and then begin to follow the signs for the Skywalk or the CN Tower. Walk west through the Skywalk and follow it over the tracks. When you arrive at the doors at the west end of the Skywalk, follow the path down beside the CN Tower and cross Bremner Blvd. The roundhouse cannot be missed. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: Static displays only. Remarks: The Toronto Railway Museum officially opened at the end of May 2010. While much of the roundhouse is now occupied by Steam Whistle Brewing and a Leons Furniture shop, three bays are dedicated to the museum. The turntable is fully restored and several railway buildings have been moved to the site (incuding the Don Station and Cabin D). There are simulators, a miniature railway and many equipment displays. There is always lots to see and definitely a spot to visit in Toronto. For opening times and more information, visit trha.ca. Updated: 2 July 2010 |
| Bathurst Street
Bridge, Toronto |
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Location: A road bridge over the
Toronto Terminals Railway just to the west of downtown Toronto, Ontario. Directions: Bathurst is a 20 minutes walk west along Front Street from Union Station. The 511 Bathurst Streetcar also crosses the bridge. Parking in the area is limited and is not recommended. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: Mostly GO Trains and VIA Rail passenger services (including VIA equipment moves from the VIA TMC to and from Union). There are also two daily Amtrak trains (The Maple Leaf), New York-bound in the morning and Toronto-bound in the evening. There is usually one CN freight around lunchtime. Remarks: A classic spot for rail enthusiasts in Toronto. Looking west, the Toronto Terminals Railway splits into the CN Oakville and Weston Subs as well as the CP Galt Sub. Looking east, GO's Bathurst North Yard is to the left, the flyunder is central and more lines are to the right. This is a busy location with lots of traffic at all times of the day. With a wider lens, the CN Tower makes a good backdrop for trains. Note on the photo: as of 28 September 2012, the Northlander no longer operates, so the shot cannot be replicated. Updated: 5 November 2012 |
| Willowbrook/TMC,
Toronto |
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Location: Islington Avenue
Overpass between Judson St. and New Toronto St. in Toronto, Ontario. Directions: Take Highway 401 to the Islington Avenue exit (Toronto), turn south and follow Islington Avenue to the overpass that crosses the facility. Parking in the area is extremely limited and always involves a lengthy walk. Alternatively (and much simpler) is to take a Lakeshore West GO Train to Mimico. Leave the station heading west and you will arrive at Royal York Road. Cross at the lights north of the station and head south to Judson St. Walk west along Judson St. until you arrive at the Islington Avenue overpass and you may then cross the overpass and enjoy the trains. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: GO Transit commuter trains, VIA Rail passenger services, Amtrak passenger services (to/from New York City), Canadian National Railway freights and plenty of stabled stock from all of the above and other railways. Remarks: The GO Transit Willowbrook Yard and the VIA Toronto Maintanance Centre (TMC) are always busy as all of the trains to and from Union Station are maintained here. In the early morning and the late evening, Amtrak and Ontario Northland stock may also be seen. The overpass is massive and usually busy, but the pedestrian area is very generous and you are quite safe. One note, the railings are about 5’ tall so shorter people may have trouble seeing (sorry). There is always something happening at one of these two parallel facilities and the sheer amount of stock is fascinating to watch. This is one place that you are actually likely to meet other trainspotters and they are normally happy to talk about trains with you. If you manage to grow tired of watching from both sides of the bridge, walk south to New Toronto St. Turn right and walk along beside the small CN yard at Mimico, sometimes there is something interesting to see (I have seen class 66s waiting to be exported!). One note, do not try and enter any of these facilities as they do not accept visitors and railway police patrol frequently. Updated: 14 August 2008 |
| Bayview
Junction, Aldershot |
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Location: Footbridge to the east
of Bayview Junction, Aldershot, Ontario. Directions: Take Highway 403 to the Highway 6 exit. Take the York Road exit and head south on Plains Road. Turn left at Spring Gardens Road and park. The footbridge is clearly visible from the parking lot. Alternatively, take a Lakeshore West GO Train to Aldershot and take a Burlington Transit Route 1 (Plains West) bus to Spring Gardens Road. Map Link: Google Map - click here. Rail Traffic: GO Transit commuter trains (morning and evening rush only), VIA Rail passenger services, Amtrak passenger services (to/from New York City) and Canadian National Railway freights. Remarks: This is probably the best-known location for railway phtography in the Toronto Area. The footbridge is located off Spring Gardens Road near the Royal Botannical Gardens. The three-track mainline is clearly visible with best light from sunrise until mid-morning. Rail traffic has been lighter in the last few years, but the location remains popular. If you follow the path from the footbridge, you can also walk down to the marsh and the bay, which also offers good views looking up at the track. There are many other bridges in the area, so it is a good idea to consult local maps for more possible photo locations. Updated: 9 September 2013 |
| Safety |
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| Some of the above locations are
quite remote and while crime rates are quite low, always be alert and
watch your camera gear! You may be stopped by the police (be it railway police, city police, regional police, provincial police or RCMP) while you are trainspotting; be polite and answer all their questions. Once you tell them that you are trainspotting, they are normally happy to let you continue. MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT TRESPASS ON RAILWAY PROPERTY, it is illegal in Canada and you may be fined. CN, CP and GO Transit operate their own police forces and frequently patrol around rail property, they have the same powers as the other police forces listed above. In two years of trainspotting, I have been stopped several times by the police and have never had any trouble. They normally want to ascertain that you aren’t a drug dealer and that you are not trying to jump under a train. Remember that trains cannot stop quickly, do not put yourself in danger while trainspotting. If you see anyone in immediate danger on the railway (eg. car stalled on level crossing), it is recommended that you call either: -the CN Police (when at a CN track) at 1-800-465-9239 or -the CP Police (when at a CP track) at 1-800-716-9132. When in doubt as to which company owns the line, dial the local emergency number (911 or 0 in some rural areas) and give them your location. Updated: 14 August 2008 |
|
| Photography |
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| Photography in public places in
Canada is legal (except for sensitive areas such as prisons, military
installations, courts etc.). Trainspotting is also legal. The above
locations have all been checked (at time of writing) for photography
and all permit it. Note: photography is not usually permitted on the
Union Station platforms, but the Great Hall is fine. If someone tells
you that you may not take photographs at a particular location, it is
best not to argue. Also take a look at my pages on railway photography tips and rail photo editing tips for more information. Updated: 10 January 2010 |
|
| Canadian
Trackside Guide |
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A useful tool if you will be
trainspotting in Canada for some time is the Canadian Trackside
Guide,
published each year by the Bytown Railway Society. The online
summaries do not really explain what it is, so here I will try and
explain it,
section by section (based on the 2009 guide):
Updated: 16 April 2011 |
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| Disclaimer |
|
| All of the above information was
accurate at time of writing (see each entry for specific date).
I will not be held
responsible for other people’s actions as a result of the above
information. The above information is designed solely as a guide and
should not be construed in any other manner. If you have any questions or comments regarding the above trainspotting locations and guidelines, please contact me: speechartist@hotmail.com |
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