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Trackside_Treasure said:
I considered that # of trains before I commented, Dan. I know at rush hours GO is really busy. I guess I need to dig out some old Official Guides to total up all the trains that operated into Toronto, and of course it depends on which decade we're talking about! Don't you think there was more co-operation between the involved railways, though?
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Well consider that GO is running 10 minute service (or better) into and out of Union at rush hours....

And that VIA is running almost twice as much service east of Toronto as it was 40 years ago.

Sure, there were a handful of freights each day back then, but through Union we're talking about 2 or 3 pairs at most. And it was way easier to get those through when you only had to deal with a GO train every hour (and 20 minutes at rush hour), or having one of the handful of VIA's coming through.

Also keep in mind, too, that there was only one organization in charge of dispatching the whole thing back then. Now, there are 4. So co-operation wasn't really a factor because CN owned it all and called the shots. Now, CN calls the shots on the part that they own, Metrolinx calls the shots on their part, etc.

And, of course, each of the railways is prioritizing its own operations over everyone else's. Which is why we're talking about it.

Dan
 
smallspy said:
Sure, there were a handful of freights each day back then, but through Union we're talking about 2 or 3 pairs at most. And it was way easier to get those through when you only had to deal with a GO train every hour (and 20 minutes at rush hour), or having one of the handful of VIA's coming through.
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Well, going back far enough, freight was more than 2 or 3 a day....CN and CP transfers, CP through freights via Parkdale yard, CN trains to
Don Yard, a very busy Bathurst Yard, industrial jobs going everywhere. John Street and Spadina both originated yard assignments, as did Parkdale and CP West Toronto and CN Don Yard.

Pre-1965, this was the through route for CN freights to Mimico from Montreal, Stratford, and off the transcontinental via Bala Sub. CN and CP both had piggyback ramps downtown and originated express and piggyback to Montreal. Push engines on CP for the Don and helpers on CN for the climb to Port Union.

Also keep in mind there was much less trackage and fewer through routes in older times. Two main tracks to Mimico, CP and CN routes from West Toronto converged to two tracks. Many non-main tracks. Switchtenders rather than signalling.

Some (but not all) of this bypassed Union proper via the freight bypass, but switching moves from Spadina coach yard sawed back and forth at Bathurst Street. Passenger consists were moved to Union by a yard engine which then came back light from the depot. Engines moved separately to and from the roundhouses.

Certainly, John Street logs more through movements today, but Bathurst Street never stopped even bacck then.

- Paul

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Great to see this advocacy. Post by the Dauphin Rail Museum.

As of April 30th, 2026 the VIA Rail pilot project has come to its completion. The Dauphin Rail Museum observed the need to improve the experience for VIA Rail passengers and created a reasonable solution through the assistance of the City of Dauphin.

This solution aligned with what we, at the Museum, and as a community as a whole, should be striving for when called a tourism destination. This includes infrastructure, accessibility, hospitality, and service.

Given the extent of positive feedback and appreciation shown by both VIA Rail passengers and the community at large for the duration of this project, it is our hope this will continue in some capacity going forward.

This rail link will only continue to grow as the VIAction 2030 strategic plan comes to fruition over the next several years. This strategic plan will see the replacement of both locomotives and passenger equipment which will dramatically increase capacity. With increased capacity this service to Dauphin will provide a reliable means of transportation to/from Winnipeg and also create unique tourism opportunity.

The report has been submitted for review. In the meantime, if you are as passionate as we are in improving the service overall, please do not hesitate to make your voice heard to all levels of government (City of Dauphin, Ron Kostyshyn MLA and Dan Mazier, MP) and VIA Rail.

If you have any questions regarding this project please feel free to contact us.

#dauphinrailmuseum #birthplaceofcanadiannorthernrailway #viarailcanada #tourismdauphin #travelmanitoba #destinationcanada
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nfitz said:
What were they piloting?
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The Rail Museum, which is located at the VIA platform [a former CNR station], extended their hours to match those of VIA Rail's train schedule to provide a warm place with washrooms for passengers to wait as VIA does not provide any facilities. AFAICS the Museum, staffed by volunteers, did this as a community service with no compensation from either VIA or the town.

At best they'll use the added visitor counts in grant applications.


 
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