Rail Lands
From their role in today’s modern commute to their historic contributions to telecommunications and the tourism industry, Toronto’s trains have connected people for nearly 200 years.
Once the epicentre of Toronto’s railways, Toronto’s rail lands have become a major tourist destination in Toronto.
This tour examines Toronto’s relationship with the railroad and the ways they have shaped the city. Since the 1850s when the first train arrived in Toronto, railways have impacted the way in which Torontonians work and play. Although the railway provided many benefits to the city, the history of the railway is also one of abuse of Chinese railway workers and Black porters.
This digital tour was made possible by the generous support of our Tours Program Presenting Sponsor, TD Bank and The Ready Commitment with the support of Andrew and Sharon Himel and Family. Content for this tour was developed by emerging historian Mitchell Daniels (2022).
General Sources
“All Aboard Toronto” Virtual Exhibit presented by the Toronto Public Library
Derek Boles, “Toronto’s Victorian Railway Stations”, Railroad History Fall-Winter2010, pg 20-45.
James Marsh,”Railway History in Canada”, Canadian Encyclopedia, 2009.
Toronto Railway Historical Association
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