[Natika33]

Anyone who wants to look at trains would do better than to utilize the platforms at Union - they are cramped, chaotic, and dark. A much better trainspotting experience can be had by standing by the vantage points offered just west of the station, such as at the west end of the Skywalk at the foot of the CN Tower, the sidewalk on Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street over the rail lands, or the pedestrian walkway along Iceboat Terrace. If you are not taking photos and merely want to see, the pedestrian bridge over the tracks is also good.

Street View of SkyWalk · Google Maps

Toronto, ON M5J 1C3, Canada

maps.app.goo.gl

I also like sitting in the Balzac's coffee within the UP terminal for trainspotting.

 

[Amare]

Heck even Metrolinx of all organizations figured out a way of how to do bollards properly (to a side entrance of a station):

 

[cbrown2009]

No one is physically checking you for a paid fare on or heading in to the GO platforms. Transit police will occasionally be on the train to check for proper fare but you 'can' be on a GO platform without paying a GO fare.

The other element is that I seem to recall that security is protective of the platform area at Union for whatever reason. For example during a doors open Toronto tour of the station we were told that photographs were prohibited from the platform level. Though that was about 2 decades ago so it may have changed now. That being said, if you are on the platforms at Union and just looking around you may attract the attention of security who might approach and question you.

In hind sight I wonder if it would have made more sense to build a VIA concourse above the tracks (instead of the crystal cube), with a lounge overlooking the tracks for waiting passengers. This would have made pathing through the lower levels of Union easier.

I've been checked as early as before even boarding an elevator to ascend to platform level and on platform level before boarding a train (usually Kitchener trains late evening including more than once on weekends).

Some staff are reasonable once an explanation is offered if one is seen at platform level without a proof of fare paid and some are less reasonable. But there are better places to view trains as was previously mentioned..

Personally, I love the view from the Skywalk overpassing the corridor itself.

 

[Richard White]

To quote Homer Simpson "When a fire starts to burn, There's a lesson you must learn. Something, something, then you'll see, You'll avoid catastrophe"

https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/1jpsube/someone_burned_down_the_macaron_stand_in_union

 

[bearcat]

To quote Homer Simpson "When a fire starts to burn, There's a lesson you must learn. Something, something, then you'll see, You'll avoid catastrophe"

https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/1jpsube/someone_burned_down_the_macaron_stand_in_union

someone also burned down the red canoe at Canoe Landing Park overnight

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

To quote Homer Simpson "When a fire starts to burn, There's a lesson you must learn. Something, something, then you'll see, You'll avoid catastrophe"

https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/1jpsube/someone_burned_down_the_macaron_stand_in_union

Okays, I take a little more personal when they start burning desert displays. Those are supposed to be /drooled at and not touched! >.<

 

[Johnny Au]

Okays, I take a little more personal when they start burning desert displays. Those are supposed to be /drooled at and not touched! >.<

Good thing the arsonist didn’t torch the gashapon store (yet).

Imagine all those collectibles being charred and melted!

My photos of the store from September 2024:

Union Station Revitalization | ?m | ?s | City of Toronto | NORR

My guess at the Union Station Rail Corridor redevelopment status: Everyone has signed off on a target Trains Service Plan (TSP) - Metrolinx management, the Metrolinx Board, the Provincial Government, OnXpress management A track layout similar to WillyBru21's posted maps has been agreed upon as...

urbantoronto.ca

 

[Richard White]

Good thing the arsonist didn’t torch the gashapon store (yet).

Imagine all those collectibles being charred and melted!

Or the LCBO.

Can you imagine that much booze going up in flames?

 

[Northern Light]

I know some are having fun here about the fire at the Laduree kiosk and I get the impulse..........

Only thing............security guards at Union Station were first on the scene and attempted to put the fire out w/fire extinguishers........... one was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

I don't fault anyone for the fun.........but just a gentle reminder that a real human being didn't get to go home yesterday, at least for a few hours, after dealing with an injury resulting from this stupidity.

 

[Sauga89]

Did this thread get moved over into the buildings forum?

 

[chrisw]

How we’re upgrading platforms at Union Station

Improvements at platform and concourse levels will help reduce crowding.

www.metrolinx.com

 

[C-mac]

I still for the life of me can't understand why they can't fix the electronic billboards that are not working. (the one at the info desk where the big a analogue clock is, and the ones at the ticket booths) Don't even get me started on the fact there is drywall in the Great Hall that I'm guessing is now permanent seeing as it's be for like 15 years at this point.

 

[christiesplits]

A quick walk around the block.

View attachment 637269

View attachment 637268

I was in Ottawa last week where there are plenty of anti-vehicle bollards. It can be done!

 

[DSCToronto]

I was in Ottawa last week where there are plenty of anti-vehicle bollards. It can be done!

View attachment 642176
View attachment 642177

Yes, virtually every city in the world has used perfectly aesthetic and functional bollards for decades - while concrete blocks clearly work they are certainly NOT the only choice and it is, frankly, amazing it took the City over 6 years to move from standard Jersey barriers to painted Jersey Barriers to made to measure concrete blocks. Where is the City's Auditor General when we need her??

 

[PL1]

I was in Ottawa last week where there are plenty of anti-vehicle bollards. It can be done!

View attachment 642176
View attachment 642177

*But where will the masses sit?!?*

It's ridiculous that we took as long as we did to come up with what we did. Perhaps they can't bury the bases deeply enough because of the station below.