Toronto Railway Museum

This little train museum is a super fun and free activity in Downtown TO. We happened on it by accident after leaving the Skydome, but my son thoroughly enjoyed himself.
We spent quite a bit of time here, the trains were sort of open to be explored. He climbed on everything and got my uncle to follow him around, it was pretty funny. I was impressed with the size of it for a free display amidst so many expensive attractions. It was definitely refreshing to see something like this among so many commercialized ventures. And it was cute to see so many happy children. I don’t post pics of my son’s face, so I had a hard time finding photos on my camera roll where he wasn’t bombing in every shot :-)

Total rip off. $ 5 for a small small small «museum.» It was about 850 sq feet of «artifacts». The range included pictures, hammers, toilet paper from the past and a Lego set that’s «under construction.»
Do yourself a favor and skip this place.
Just stick to the outside and take pics of the stationary trains that you can’t go into.

This is an adorable free outdoor extension to the nearby Toronto Railway Museum. There are a number of trains that are parked here that you can crawl around on, look at, pose in front of and generally hang out at. There’s a train station where you can ride a small-​gauge train, and a some grassy areas to hang out on, and places to sit in the shade.
This would be a great place to take kids, and it’s a little oasis in the middle of the busy area between Rogers Centre, the CN Tower, the Aquarium and other downtown attractions. There’s also a bike rental kiosk here.
It’s a fun place for relaxing and people watching.

It’s so cool to have an outdoor free train museum right in the center of the City. This is a great location. We stopped here and walked around and looked at the roundhouse and the outdoor trains after going to the CN tower. It’s a really great free activity to do after an expensive activity.
There’s also a bike share station here, which makes it very convenient to get to.

Stumbled upon this place after leaving the aquarium. As an avid and upstanding railfan, I couldn’t pass this up. Seeing those old engines and diesel locomotives got me all riled up. I knew Toronto was/​is a big railroading city and had something to show for it. I am glad I saw this right away to jolt my memory. However, unfortunately, this place is under construction. It’s in an old roundhouse which is unmistakable from a bird’s-eye-view on Google Maps or whatnot. You can tell that although most of the trimmings and trappings of an old railroad roundhouse and yard are gone, that this was a significant area of Toronto and even Canadian railroad history. Anyways, the «Heritage Centre» only occupies one small segment of the huge roundhouse (the other areas either being unoccupied or taken up by that beer brewery or whatever). I walked in and all there was was a gift shop with some really cool things to include HO models of old Canadian National passenger car and a few things to look at which constituted the «museum» of the centre. Many cool things to include old dining car china and cutlery as well as old VIA Rail Canada conductor’s livery. I can’t wait till they grow and become more popular among the Toronto area and help people understand how crucial and necessary trains are in our world.

I work at a museum, so i rarely like going to museums on my days off unless its an exhibit i’m dying to see (yes, strange, i know). We were doing a walking tour of Toronto and saw they had a museum on «park land» on the tourist map. I thought this was interesting as most museums are basically brick and mortar places (also, its next to the steam whistle brewery… two for one trip).
Upon arrival, I was already impressed. The location is really unique. Park land right in the middle of the business district and in front of the CN Tower! Pretty awesome spot for photos, although difficult to capture quality photos. The trains and traintracks were really cool. The little train for the kids was a cute thing for the kids too. Real team engine!!! (i think. i saw fire and steam blowing out lol).
I walked went into one of the small buildings and read up on some of the displays. We spent a good time in this area and then naturally made our way to the brewery.
Good stop for the both adults and kids.

This was a random stop as we had a few hours to kill in Toronto. We had planned on going in the CN Tower, but saw this place as we were parking, and spent a few hours here.
We went to the Steam Whistle Brewery next door, and signed up for a tour a few hours later, then went back outside to check it out. There was a small train going around the area giving kids and adults alike a ride. There were a few engines outside that we could climb in and learn as much or as little about. And there was picture taking galore!
In the middle there’s a roundabout with a caboose on it. As we were looking at it, one of the gentlemen asked if we wanted a ride. Ummm… Yes please! We convinced a few other people milling about to join us as well! It wasn’t much but it was neat to see how they would get engines and cars switched around. It was very slow moving, but that could have been cuz we were all just standing on it, and they didn’t want us to fall. The guy running it told us everything worked in the past too.
You can go inside and see them restoring old train cars and even walk inside a few of them! When we went they were taking donations until they got it completely up and running. The trains only take up a third of this old wheel house, and it’s really neat to see and hear about the history! Even if you’re not a train buff, I thought it was cool and a great way to spend an hour on a nice day.

The museum itself is rather messy but the stream train ride is pretty sweet and great for kids. The ride simulator inside the main building is pretty cool though. Good way to kill some time with the kids

A lovely addition to the historical Roundhouse, located just south of the Skydome, the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre opened to the public in late May 2010. It is open free to the public, but donations are accepted and encouraged.
The TRHC itself has several trains set out in the open and within the Roundhouse. You can wander in and check out an old caboose or even play on a train simulator. Sit in the driver’s seat and steer the train while watching a computer screen as you imagine yourself in downtown Toronto of the 1950s. Go early in the day to avoid line-​ups. Note that these trains are NOT wheelchair accessible.
In the summer, a miniature train pulls a dozen people around on miniature tracks. Mostly geared towards children, rides are $ 3 for adults, and $ 2 for kids.
Parking underground for the Metro Convention Centre is a bit pricey, but worth it for the photo ops and the handful of geocaches in this area — one which is actually physically attached to the Roundhouse itself. It’s also very central and only a 10-​minute walk from Harbourfront and Queen’s Quay.
A great place to pick up a little history lesson, and possible a beer at the Steamwhistle Brewery next door!