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{{Short description|Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada}}
{{Infobox park
{{Infobox park
| name = Roundhouse Park
| name = Roundhouse Park
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| status =
| status =
| open =
| open =
| website = {{official URL}}
| website = [http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/facilities/complex/386/index.htm Roundhouse Park]
}}
}}
'''Roundhouse Park''' is a 17 [[acre]] (6.9 [[hectare|ha]]) park in [[Downtown Toronto]] in the former [[Railway Lands, Toronto|Railway Lands]]. It features the '''John Street Roundhouse''', a preserved locomotive [[Railway roundhouse|roundhouse]] which is home to the '''Toronto Railway Museum''', [[Steam Whistle Brewing]], and the restaurant and entertainment complex [[The Rec Room]]. The park is also home to a collection of trains, the former Canadian Pacific Railway Don Station, and the Roundhouse Park Miniature Railway. The park is bounded by Bremner Boulevard, Lower Simcoe Street, [[Lake Shore Boulevard|Lake Shore Boulevard West]]/[[Gardiner Expressway]] and Rees Street.
'''Roundhouse Park''' is a {{convert|17|acre|ha|adj=on}} park in the [[Downtown Toronto|downtown core of Toronto]], Ontario, Canada. It is in the former [[Railway Lands]]. It features the '''John Street Roundhouse''', a preserved locomotive [[Railway roundhouse|roundhouse]] that houses the '''Toronto Railway Museum''', [[Steam Whistle Brewing]], and [[the Rec Room]] restaurant and entertainment complex. The park is also home to a collection of trains, the former [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] Don Station, and the Roundhouse Park Miniature Railway. The park is bounded by [[Bremner Boulevard]], Lower Simcoe Street, [[Lake Shore Boulevard|Lake Shore Boulevard West]]/[[Gardiner Expressway]], and Rees Street.


==History==
==History==
The John Street Roundhouse was built in 1929–1931 and renovated in the 1990s. In 1997, the area to the east of the building became the city-owned Roundhouse Park.
⚫
The John Street Roundhouse was built in 1929-31. Following the renovations of the roundhouse in the 1990s, the area to the east of the building became a city owned park named Roundhouse Park in 1997. The Toronto Railway Museum occupies Roundhouse Park and officially opened in 2010. The Museum occupies three stalls of the John St. Roundhouse and features an indoor display, an indoor restoration facility, a full size diesel cab simulator, an outdoor miniature railway, numerous railway engines and rolling stock as well as a fully restored railway village which includes Don Station, [[Signalling control|Signal Cabin D]] (with toolshed), a Watchman's shanty, a Water Tower and a [[coaling tower]].

⚫
In 2010, the Toronto Railway Museum opened in three stalls of the roundhouse and its environs. It has an indoor display and restoration facility and a full-size diesel cab simulator. Outside is a miniature railway, numerous railway engines and rolling stock, and a fully restored railway village that includes Don Station, [[Signalling control|Signal Cabin D]] (moved to Roundhouse Park from the City's collection of historic buildings), a watchman's shanty, a water tower, and a [[coaling tower]].


===John Street Roundhouse===
===John Street Roundhouse===
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| founder =
| founder =
| original_use = [[Railway roundhouse|Roundhouse]]
| original_use = [[Railway roundhouse|Roundhouse]]
| current_use = Toronto Railway Museum<br>[[Steam Whistle Brewing|Steam Whistle Brewery]] The Rec Room
| current_use = Toronto Railway Museum<br />[[Steam Whistle Brewing|Steam Whistle Brewery]] The Rec Room
| sculptor =
| sculptor =
| visitors_ref =
| visitors_ref =
Line 72: Line 75:


}}
}}
The John Street Roundhouse was built for the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] in 1929-31 by Anglin-Norcross to replace the earlier John Street roundhouse built in 1897. Trains were so properly maintained at this location that railroaders recognized them by their "John Street polish." <ref>[http://www.trha.ca/johnstreet.html Toronto Railway Historical Association]. Trha.ca. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.</ref> When diesel run trains began being used, business was slowed at the Roundhouse and the building was last used for its original purpose in 1986. The Canadian Pacific Railway Company donated the roundhouse to the City of Toronto. It is the only remaining roundhouse in downtown Toronto (the [[CNR Spadina Roundhouse]] was demolished to make way for construction of the [[SkyDome]]). One third of the original structure was dismantled, to allow construction of the [[Metro Toronto Convention Centre]] below, then reconstructed (1995) by Hotson Bakker Architects and is now home to Steam Whistle Brewing. Renovations to the brewery interior portion were done by William Hurst Architects. The remaining two thirds was rehabilitated by IBI Group Architects and now house the [[Toronto Railway Museum]] and Cineplex's Rec Room entertainment complex. The turntable and courtyard, Roundhouse Park with the restored wooden railway buildings was also completed by IBI and has received a number of design awards. The [[SkyWalk]] retains a direct connection from the Roundhouse Park, to [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]].
The John Street Roundhouse was built for the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] (CPR) in 1929–1931 by Anglin-Norcross to replace the earlier John Street roundhouse built in 1897. Trains were so properly maintained at this location that railroaders recognized them by their "John Street polish".<ref>[http://www.trha.ca/johnstreet.html Toronto Railway Historical Association]. Trha.ca. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.</ref> After the arrival of diesel locomotives, business slowed at the roundhouse, and the building was last used for its original purpose in 1986. The CPR donated the roundhouse to the City of Toronto.


It is the only remaining roundhouse in downtown Toronto (the [[CNR Spadina Roundhouse]] was demolished to make way for construction of the [[SkyDome]]). One-third of the original structure was dismantled, to allow construction of the [[Metro Toronto Convention Centre]] below, then reconstructed (1995) by Hotson Bakker Architects and is now home to [[Steam Whistle Brewing]]. Renovations to the brewery interior were done by William Hurst Architects. The remaining two-thirds was rehabilitated by IBI Group Architects and now house the [[Toronto Railway Museum]] and [[The Rec Room|Cineplex's Rec Room]] entertainment complex. Roundhouse Park with the restored wooden railway buildings, the turntable and courtyard was also completed by IBI and received design awards. The [[SkyWalk]] retains a direct connection from Roundhouse Park to [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]].
⚫
John Street Roundhouse could maintain 32 locomotives at a time. 32 bay doors make up the inner rounded facade of the building and face the 120 foot turntable. This turntable was the largest used by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company and was constructed by the Canadian Bridge Company.<ref>[http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_Toronto/JOHN_ST_LOCOMOTIVE.htm Old Time Trains]. Trainweb.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.</ref> The exterior and interior of the building is mostly composed of brick and glazing. Each of the bay doors is of wood construction and can be left open to reveal a floor to ceiling glass wall with a regular sized man door inset. Natural light floods the interior space from the curved loft space and all exterior facades. Refurbished wooden columns also stand within the interior of the structure.<ref>http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/culture/doorsopen2008.nsf/219af60e39f783108525747a005ae9b8/67f7bb2bc82fce20852574190040e6e9?OpenDocument</ref> The coaling tower and water tank are auxiliary structures still located in the park from the working days of the John Street Roundhouse.<ref name="Httpwwwtrhacaroundhouseparkhtml">[http://www.trha.ca/roundhousepark.html Toronto Railway Historical Association]. Trha.ca. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.</ref>


⚫
John Street Roundhouse could maintain 32 locomotives at a time. 32 bay doors make up the inner rounded façade of the building and face the {{convert|120|ft|adj=on}} turntable. This turntable was the largest on the CPR and was constructed by the Canadian Bridge Company.<ref>[http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_Toronto/JOHN_ST_LOCOMOTIVE.htm Old Time Trains]. Trainweb.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.</ref> The exterior and interior of the building are mostly composed of brick and glazing. Each of the bay doors is of wood construction and can be left open to reveal a floor-to-ceiling glass wall with a regular-sized man door inset. Natural light floods the interior space from the curved loft space and all exterior façades. Refurbished wooden columns also stand within the interior of the structure.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/culture/doorsopen2008.nsf/219af60e39f783108525747a005ae9b8/67f7bb2bc82fce20852574190040e6e9?OpenDocument |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-10-17 |archive-date=2011-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929200818/http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/culture/doorsopen2008.nsf/219af60e39f783108525747a005ae9b8/67f7bb2bc82fce20852574190040e6e9?OpenDocument |url-status=dead }}</ref> The coaling tower and water tank are auxiliary structures still in the park from the working days of the John Street Roundhouse.<ref name="Httpwwwtrhacaroundhouseparkhtml">[http://www.trha.ca/roundhousepark.html Toronto Railway Historical Association]. Trha.ca. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.</ref>
⚫
The John Street Roundhouse was designated a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]] in 1990.<ref>[http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/lhn-nhs/det_E.asp?oqSID=0552&oqeName=John+Street+Roundhouse+%28Canadian+Pacific%29&oqfName=Rotonde+de+la+rue+John+%28Canadien+Pacifique%29 John Street Roundhouse (Canadian Pacific)], Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada</ref><ref>[http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=12781&pid=0 John Street Roundhouse (Canadian Pacific)], National Register of Historic Places</ref>


⚫
The John Street Roundhouse was designated a [[national historic site of Canada]] in 1990.<ref>[http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/lhn-nhs/det_E.asp?oqSID=0552&oqeName=John+Street+Roundhouse+%28Canadian+Pacific%29&oqfName=Rotonde+de+la+rue+John+%28Canadien+Pacifique%29 John Street Roundhouse (Canadian Pacific)], Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada</ref><ref>[http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=12781&pid=0 John Street Roundhouse (Canadian Pacific)], National Register of Historic Places</ref>
⚫
The Roundhouse and associated structures were first protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, passed by Toronto City Council on August 12, 1996. It was then designated under Part V of the Act with by-aw 634-2006 passed on July 27, 2006, as part of the Union Station Heritage Conservation District (encompassing the Park, Union Station and the [[Royal York Hotel]]). <ref> {{cite web |url=http://app.toronto.ca/HeritagePreservation/details.do?folderRsn=2433888&propertyRsn=697024 |title=Heritage Property Detail-255 BREMNER BLVD |date=2015 |website=City of Toronto |publisher= |access-date=November 29, 2015 |quote=SEE 222 Bremner Blvd - CP Roundhouse, Water Tower, Coaling Tower; Sanding Tower; 1929; 1929. Adopted by City Council on Sept 4 & 7, 1984. Part IV Designation By-Law Passed by City Council on August 12, 1996. Part V Designation by-law 634-2006 passed July 27, 2006. Located within the Union Station Heritage Conservation District; Heritage Easement Agreement AT1915385 registered on Oct. 3, 2008. Partially repealed by by-law No. 1143-2008 passed on Oct 30, 2008.}} </ref>

⚫
The roundhouse and associated structures were first protected under Part IV of the ''Ontario Heritage Act'', passed by Toronto City Council on August 12, 1996. It was then designated under Part V of the act with by-law 634-2006 passed on July 27, 2006, as part of the Union Station Heritage Conservation District (encompassing the park, [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]] and the [[Fairmont Royal York|Royal York Hotel]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://secure.toronto.ca/HeritagePreservation/details.do?folderRsn=2433888&propertyRsn=697024 |title=Heritage Property Detail-255 BREMNER BLVD |date=2015 |website=City of Toronto |access-date=November 29, 2015 |quote=SEE 222 Bremner Blvd - CP Roundhouse, Water Tower, Coaling Tower; Sanding Tower; 1929; 1929. Adopted by City Council on Sept 4 & 7, 1984. Part IV Designation By-Law Passed by City Council on August 12, 1996. Part V Designation by-law 634-2006 passed July 27, 2006. Located within the Union Station Heritage Conservation District; Heritage Easement Agreement AT1915385 registered on Oct. 3, 2008. Partially repealed by by-law No. 1143-2008 passed on Oct 30, 2008.}}</ref>


===Toronto Railway Museum===
===Toronto Railway Museum===
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| location = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| location = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| type = [[Transport museum]]
| type = [[Transport museum]]
| collection = See Below
| collection = [[Roundhouse Park#Collection of trains|See below]]
| visitors =
| visitors =
| director =
| director =
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| website = [http://torontorailwaymuseum.com/ Official Site]
| website = [http://torontorailwaymuseum.com/ Official Site]
}}
}}
The Toronto Railway Museum opened on May 28, 2010, and operates year-round.
The Toronto Railway Historical Association (TRHA) was established in 2001 and is now incorporated as a federally registered charity. Its primary focus is the development of the Toronto Railway Museum (TRM).


The museum is supported by the Toronto Railway Historical Association, a federally registered charity that was established in 2001 and whose main focus is developing the museum.
The museum opened on May 28, 2010. The TRM operates year-round. Cabin D has also been moved to Roundhouse Park from the City's collection of historic buildings and was repainted and repaired but remains in its original structural state.


During warmer months, it operates the Miniature Railway, opened in 2010. Hauled by a replica steam locomotive/tender or replica CLC diesel-electric Whitcomb centre-cab switcher, the ride has four cars carrying four passengers each plus a caboose.<ref name="ST" />
====Don Station====
{{main article|Don railway station}}
The Don Station was built in 1896 by Canadian Pacific Railway and was originally located at the [[Don River (Toronto)|Don River]] and [[Queen Street East]] along the western bank of the river. In 1969 it was moved to [[Todmorden Mills]]. For many years while it was there the station was boarded up and not open to the public. Upon its relocation to the Roundhouse park, it was repainted and repaired and opened to the public to purchase tickets for the Roundhouse Park Miniature Railway.


Tickets for the miniature railway are sold at the [[Don station]], built in 1896 by the Canadian Pacific Railway on [[Queen Street East]] along the western bank of the [[Don River (Toronto)|Don River]]. In 1969, it was moved to [[Todmorden Mills]], where it long sat boarded up. It was moved to Roundhouse Park, where it was repaired and repainted for use as a ticket office.
====Miniature Railway====
The Toronto Railway Museum's Miniature Railway opened in 2010 within Roundhouse Park provides rides to visitors to the museum in season.<ref name="ST"/> The ride has 4 cars carrying 4 passengers each, a caboose and is either towed by a replica steam locomotive/tender or replica CLC diesel-electric Whitcomb center-cab switcher.


====Collection of trains====
====Collection of trains====
Roundhouse Park contains four full-sized locomotives, three freight cars, two passenger cars and one diesel multiple unit.<ref name="ST">{{cite web |url=http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/05/28/john-street-roundhouse-park-now-home-to-railway-heritage-museum/ |title=John Street Roundhouse Park now home to Railway Heritage Museum |publisher=Spacing Toronto |date=May 28, 2010 |accessdate=Jul 26, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120065101/http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/05/28/john-street-roundhouse-park-now-home-to-railway-heritage-museum/ |archivedate=November 20, 2012 |df= }}</ref>
Roundhouse Park contains four full-sized locomotives, three freight cars, two passenger cars and one diesel multiple unit.<ref name="ST">{{cite web |url=http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/05/28/john-street-roundhouse-park-now-home-to-railway-heritage-museum/ |title=John Street Roundhouse Park now home to Railway Heritage Museum |publisher=Spacing Toronto |date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=Jul 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120065101/http://spacingtoronto.ca/2010/05/28/john-street-roundhouse-park-now-home-to-railway-heritage-museum/ |archive-date=November 20, 2012 }}</ref>


* [[Canadian National Railway]] [[Canadian National 6213|No. 6213]] U-2-G [[4-8-4]] [[Montreal Locomotive Works|MLW]] 1942 – formerly located at Exhibition Place
* [[Canadian National Railway]] [[Canadian National 6213|No. 6213]] U-2-G [[4-8-4]] [[Montreal Locomotive Works|MLW]] 1942 – formerly located at [[Exhibition Place]]
* Canadian Pacific 7020 Class DS10-B, [[Alco]] [[ALCO S-2 and S-4|S-2]] 1944
* Canadian Pacific 7020 Class DS10-B, [[Alco]] [[ALCO S-2 and S-4|S-2]] 1944
* Canadian National Railway No. 4803 [[EMD GP7|GMD GP7]] 1953
* Canadian National Railway No. 4803 [[EMD GP7|GMD GP7]] 1953
* [[Canadian Locomotive Company]] 50 Ton Whitcomb Centre Cab Switcher 1950
* [[Canadian Locomotive Company]] 50-ton Whitcomb centre-cab switcher 1950
* Canadian Pacific "Jackman" sleeper 1931
* Canadian Pacific ''Jackman'' sleeper 1931
* Canadian Pacific "Cape Race" Buffet-compartment-solarium-observation-sleeper, 1929
* Canadian Pacific ''Cape Race'' buffet-compartment-solarium-observation-sleeper, 1929
* [[Dominion Atlantic Railway]] "San Pariel" (now "Nova Scotia") Pullman dining car built in 1896
* [[Dominion Atlantic Railway]] ''Sans Pareil'' (now ''Nova Scotia'') Pullman [[dining car]] built in 1896
* [[Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway]] Caboose #70 steel sheathed, 1921
* [[Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway]] caboose No. 70, steel sheathed, 1921
* Canadian Pacific Railway 188625 – "Fowler" steel frame boxcar, built 1917
* Canadian Pacific Railway 188625 – "Fowler" steel-frame boxcar, built 1917
* [[Reinhart Vinegars]] RVLX 101 – wooden vinegar tank car, built 1938
* [[Reinhart Vinegars]] RVLX 101 – wooden [[vinegar tank car]], built 1938<ref>[https://www.trha.ca/trha/?s=vinegar+car Vinegar car]</ref><ref>[https://reinhartfoods.com/home/ Reinhart]</ref>
* [[Union Station (Toronto)|Toronto Terminal Railway]] (TTR) – Pyke Self-Propelled Crane
* [[Union Station (Toronto)|Toronto Terminal Railway]] (TTR) – Pyke self-propelled crane
* [[GO Transit]] [[Hawker Siddeley RTC-85SP/D]] diesel multiple unit, built 1967 <ref>{{cite tweet|user=GOtransit|author=GO Transit|number=863899254980530176|date=14 May 2017|title=It’s finally here! Please welcome the latest addition to the @TORailwayMuseum: a restored original GO cab car from…}}</ref> <ref>{{cite tweet|user=TORailwayMuseum|author=Toronto Railway Museum|number=863538209829072897|date=13 May 2017|title=The Toronto Railway Museum was pleased to welcome a very special part of our rail heritage to Roundhouse Park today…}}</ref>
* [[GO Transit]] [[Hawker Siddeley RTC-85SP/D]] diesel multiple unit, built 1967 <ref>{{cite tweet|user=GOtransit|author=GO Transit|number=863899254980530176|date=14 May 2017|title=It's finally here! Please welcome the latest addition to the @TORailwayMuseum: a restored original GO cab car from…}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TORailwayMuseum|author=Toronto Railway Museum|number=863538209829072897|date=13 May 2017|title=The Toronto Railway Museum was pleased to welcome a very special part of our rail heritage to Roundhouse Park today…}}</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:John St Roundhouse.JPG|Inside the unfinished portion of the Roundhouse in May 2008
File:John St Roundhouse.JPG|Inside the unfinished portion of the Roundhouse in May 2008
File:Don train station after being moved to the John Street Roundhouse Museum -a.jpg|The Don Station
File:Don train station after being moved to the John Street Roundhouse Museum -a.jpg|The Don Station
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File:Panoramic View of Roundhouse Park.jpg|Panoramic View of Roundhouse Park
File:Panoramic View of Roundhouse Park.jpg|Panoramic View of Roundhouse Park
File:Little red locomotive at the John Street Roundhouse.jpg|Red locomotive
File:Little red locomotive at the John Street Roundhouse.jpg|Red locomotive
File:CN_4-8-4_at_Toronto.jpg|CN 4-8-4 No. 6213 and water tower
File:CN Tower footings 1973.jpg|John Street Roundhouse (left) in 1973. The roundhouse on the right was [[CNR Spadina Roundhouse]], which was demolished. [[Rogers Centre]] stands in its place.
File:CN Tower footings 1973.jpg|John Street Roundhouse (left) in 1973. The roundhouse on the right was [[CNR Spadina Roundhouse]], which was demolished. [[Rogers Centre]] stands in its place.
File:Steam_Whistle_Brewing_Toronto_Canada.jpg|[[Steam Whistle Brewing]]
File:Steam Whistle Brewing Toronto Canada.jpg|[[Steam Whistle Brewing]]
File:More skyline near the John Street Roundhouse.jpg|Condos next to the park
File:More skyline near the John Street Roundhouse.jpg|Condos next to the park
File:79144 Canadian National Railway.jpg|79144 Canadian National Railway
File:79144 Canadian National Railway.jpg|79144 Canadian National Railway
File:Green locomotive of Canadian National Railway.jpg|Green locomotive of Canadian National Railway
File:Green locomotive of Canadian National Railway.jpg|Green locomotive of Canadian National Railway
File:Canadian National 6213 in Toronto.jpg|Canadian National Railway locomotive 6213 at the Toronto Railway Museum
</gallery>
</gallery>


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* CPR [[CPR West Toronto Yard|West Toronto Roundhouse]], 1884, 1891 (demolished 2001)
* CPR [[CPR West Toronto Yard|West Toronto Roundhouse]], 1884, 1891 (demolished 2001)
* CPR Parkdale Roundhouse, King and Queen at Dufferin Street, 1891 by [[Credit Valley Railway]]; machinery and turntable moved to John Street Roundhouse in 1897; last used 1907
* CPR Parkdale Roundhouse, King and Queen at Dufferin Street, 1891 by [[Credit Valley Railway]]; machinery and turntable moved to John Street Roundhouse in 1897; last used 1907
*CNR Mimico 34-stall Roundhouse, [[Mimico Yard]] (current site of the [[Via Toronto Maintenance Centre]]), built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Railway, demolished in 1969 after a 1965 fire<ref name="TRHA-roundhouses">{{cite web |url=https://www.trha.ca/trha/history/selected-articles/roundhouses-in-the-toronto-area/ |title=Roundhouses in the Toronto Area |publisher=Toronto Railway Historical association |access-date=May 22, 2021 |archive-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523025256/https://www.trha.ca/trha/history/selected-articles/roundhouses-in-the-toronto-area/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*CNR Danforth 31-stall Roundhouse, south and across the tracks from current Danforth GO station, 1884 by the Grand Trunk Railway, torn down 1940's


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons}}
{{commons}}
* {{official website}}
* [http://www.trha.ca Toronto Railway Historical Association (Managers of the Toronto Railway Museum)]
* [https://torontorailwaymuseum.com/ Toronto Railway Museum]
* [http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_Toronto/JOHN_ST_LOCOMOTIVE.htm John Street Roundhouse at Old Time Trains]
* [http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_Toronto/JOHN_ST_LOCOMOTIVE.htm John Street Roundhouse at Old Time Trains]
* [http://app.toronto.ca/HeritagePreservation/details.do?folderRsn=2433888&propertyRsn=697024 Induction into City of Toronto Heritage Property Inventory]


{{NHSC}}
{{NHSC}}
{{Parks and squares in Toronto}}
{{Parks and squares in Toronto}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Canadian Pacific Railway facilities]]
[[Category:Canadian Pacific Railway facilities]]

Latest revision as of 03:23, 21 October 2024

Roundhouse Park
Roundhouse Park viewed from the CN Tower
Map
Location255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON, Canada
Coordinates43°38′28″N 79°23′07″W / 43.64111°N 79.38528°W / 43.64111; -79.38528
Operated byToronto Parks
Websitewww.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/386/index.html Edit this at Wikidata

Roundhouse Park is a 17-acre (6.9 ha) park in the downtown core of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is in the former Railway Lands. It features the John Street Roundhouse, a preserved locomotive roundhouse that houses the Toronto Railway Museum, Steam Whistle Brewing, and the Rec Room restaurant and entertainment complex. The park is also home to a collection of trains, the former Canadian Pacific Railway Don Station, and the Roundhouse Park Miniature Railway. The park is bounded by Bremner Boulevard, Lower Simcoe Street, Lake Shore Boulevard West/Gardiner Expressway, and Rees Street.

History

[edit]

The John Street Roundhouse was built in 1929–1931 and renovated in the 1990s. In 1997, the area to the east of the building became the city-owned Roundhouse Park.

In 2010, the Toronto Railway Museum opened in three stalls of the roundhouse and its environs. It has an indoor display and restoration facility and a full-size diesel cab simulator. Outside is a miniature railway, numerous railway engines and rolling stock, and a fully restored railway village that includes Don Station, Signal Cabin D (moved to Roundhouse Park from the City's collection of historic buildings), a watchman's shanty, a water tower, and a coaling tower.

John Street Roundhouse

[edit]
John Street Roundhouse
LocationCanada
Built1931
Built forCanadian Pacific Railway
Original useRoundhouse
Current useToronto Railway Museum
Steam Whistle Brewery The Rec Room
Governing bodyCity of Toronto
Designated1990
Official nameUnion Station Heritage Conservation District
DesignatedOctober 3, 2008

The John Street Roundhouse was built for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1929–1931 by Anglin-Norcross to replace the earlier John Street roundhouse built in 1897. Trains were so properly maintained at this location that railroaders recognized them by their "John Street polish".[1] After the arrival of diesel locomotives, business slowed at the roundhouse, and the building was last used for its original purpose in 1986. The CPR donated the roundhouse to the City of Toronto.

It is the only remaining roundhouse in downtown Toronto (the CNR Spadina Roundhouse was demolished to make way for construction of the SkyDome). One-third of the original structure was dismantled, to allow construction of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre below, then reconstructed (1995) by Hotson Bakker Architects and is now home to Steam Whistle Brewing. Renovations to the brewery interior were done by William Hurst Architects. The remaining two-thirds was rehabilitated by IBI Group Architects and now house the Toronto Railway Museum and Cineplex's Rec Room entertainment complex. Roundhouse Park with the restored wooden railway buildings, the turntable and courtyard was also completed by IBI and received design awards. The SkyWalk retains a direct connection from Roundhouse Park to Union Station.

John Street Roundhouse could maintain 32 locomotives at a time. 32 bay doors make up the inner rounded façade of the building and face the 120-foot (37 m) turntable. This turntable was the largest on the CPR and was constructed by the Canadian Bridge Company.[2] The exterior and interior of the building are mostly composed of brick and glazing. Each of the bay doors is of wood construction and can be left open to reveal a floor-to-ceiling glass wall with a regular-sized man door inset. Natural light floods the interior space from the curved loft space and all exterior façades. Refurbished wooden columns also stand within the interior of the structure.[3] The coaling tower and water tank are auxiliary structures still in the park from the working days of the John Street Roundhouse.[4]

The John Street Roundhouse was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1990.[5][6]

The roundhouse and associated structures were first protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, passed by Toronto City Council on August 12, 1996. It was then designated under Part V of the act with by-law 634-2006 passed on July 27, 2006, as part of the Union Station Heritage Conservation District (encompassing the park, Union Station and the Royal York Hotel).[7]

Toronto Railway Museum

[edit]
Toronto Railway Museum
Map
EstablishedMay 2010 (2010-05)
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
TypeTransport museum
Collection sizeSee below
Public transit accessSt. Andrew station and Union Station
WebsiteOfficial Site

The Toronto Railway Museum opened on May 28, 2010, and operates year-round.

The museum is supported by the Toronto Railway Historical Association, a federally registered charity that was established in 2001 and whose main focus is developing the museum.

During warmer months, it operates the Miniature Railway, opened in 2010. Hauled by a replica steam locomotive/tender or replica CLC diesel-electric Whitcomb centre-cab switcher, the ride has four cars carrying four passengers each plus a caboose.[8]

Tickets for the miniature railway are sold at the Don station, built in 1896 by the Canadian Pacific Railway on Queen Street East along the western bank of the Don River. In 1969, it was moved to Todmorden Mills, where it long sat boarded up. It was moved to Roundhouse Park, where it was repaired and repainted for use as a ticket office.

Collection of trains

[edit]

Roundhouse Park contains four full-sized locomotives, three freight cars, two passenger cars and one diesel multiple unit.[8]

[edit]
  • Inside the unfinished portion of the Roundhouse in May 2008
    Inside the unfinished portion of the Roundhouse in May 2008
  • The Don Station
    The Don Station
  • Cabin D
    Cabin D
  • Panoramic View of Roundhouse Park
    Panoramic View of Roundhouse Park
  • Red locomotive
    Red locomotive
  • John Street Roundhouse (left) in 1973. The roundhouse on the right was CNR Spadina Roundhouse, which was demolished. Rogers Centre stands in its place.
    John Street Roundhouse (left) in 1973. The roundhouse on the right was CNR Spadina Roundhouse, which was demolished. Rogers Centre stands in its place.
  • Steam Whistle Brewing
    Steam Whistle Brewing
  • Condos next to the park
    Condos next to the park
  • 79144 Canadian National Railway
    79144 Canadian National Railway
  • Green locomotive of Canadian National Railway
    Green locomotive of Canadian National Railway
  • Canadian National Railway locomotive 6213 at the Toronto Railway Museum
    Canadian National Railway locomotive 6213 at the Toronto Railway Museum

Other Toronto roundhouses

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  • CNR Spadina Roundhouse demolished 1986 to make way for Rogers Centre
  • CPR Lambton Roundhouse at St. Clair Avenue West and Runnymede Road, 1912–1913 (demolished 1960)
  • CPR West Toronto Roundhouse, 1884, 1891 (demolished 2001)
  • CPR Parkdale Roundhouse, King and Queen at Dufferin Street, 1891 by Credit Valley Railway; machinery and turntable moved to John Street Roundhouse in 1897; last used 1907
  • CNR Mimico 34-stall Roundhouse, Mimico Yard (current site of the Via Toronto Maintenance Centre), built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Railway, demolished in 1969 after a 1965 fire[13]
  • CNR Danforth 31-stall Roundhouse, south and across the tracks from current Danforth GO station, 1884 by the Grand Trunk Railway, torn down 1940's

References

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  1. ^ Toronto Railway Historical Association. Trha.ca. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.
  2. ^ Old Time Trains. Trainweb.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2010-10-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ Toronto Railway Historical Association. Trha.ca. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.
  5. ^ John Street Roundhouse (Canadian Pacific), Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada
  6. ^ John Street Roundhouse (Canadian Pacific), National Register of Historic Places
  7. ^ "Heritage Property Detail-255 BREMNER BLVD". City of Toronto. 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015. SEE 222 Bremner Blvd - CP Roundhouse, Water Tower, Coaling Tower; Sanding Tower; 1929; 1929. Adopted by City Council on Sept 4 & 7, 1984. Part IV Designation By-Law Passed by City Council on August 12, 1996. Part V Designation by-law 634-2006 passed July 27, 2006. Located within the Union Station Heritage Conservation District; Heritage Easement Agreement AT1915385 registered on Oct. 3, 2008. Partially repealed by by-law No. 1143-2008 passed on Oct 30, 2008.
  8. ^ a b "John Street Roundhouse Park now home to Railway Heritage Museum". Spacing Toronto. May 28, 2010. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved Jul 26, 2013.
  9. ^ Vinegar car
  10. ^ Reinhart
  11. ^ GO Transit [@GOtransit] (14 May 2017). "It's finally here! Please welcome the latest addition to the @TORailwayMuseum: a restored original GO cab car from…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Toronto Railway Museum [@TORailwayMuseum] (13 May 2017). "The Toronto Railway Museum was pleased to welcome a very special part of our rail heritage to Roundhouse Park today…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Roundhouses in the Toronto Area". Toronto Railway Historical association. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
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