Hello everyone!!
Welcome to the Diner, this time in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Ontario has it all, from huge urban centers like the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) to endless miles of wilderness. There is something for everyone!
For those (two) of you who like statistics, here’s the low down:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario
Pictures speak louder that words:
Downtown Toronto:
Typical ‘cottage country’:
Niagara Falls from the Canadian side:
Northern Ontario:
The Rideau Canal in Ottawa. Canada’s longest skating rink:
Canada’s Parliament Buildings looking from the back:
Uxbridge. Typical small town Ontario:
Northern Lights at Chapleau:
Here is a video about railroading in Ontario:
We will start off in the town of Tottenham at the Sou
Dave,
Thanks for moving the diner this month, good job—
herrinchoker
Here is an older video of three iconic steam engines saluting each other. South Simcoe Railway #136 and #1057 and CP #2816. Taken just north of Tottenham, Ontario:
Dave
Thank You for the (almost) cross-continent Diner move, Dave!
Barely a ripple in my drink along the way [D][:D]
Looking forward to some fine Ontario hospitality [tup]
CN_Toronto by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Everyone has their favourite railway bridges. This is mine:
It is located in Little Current and it connects the Manitoulin Island with the mainland. The bridge was built by the Algoma Eastern Railway. Construction on the abutments was begun in 1912 and the bridge itself was built in 1913. It has a 368’ span. It still operates through the summer to allow pleasure boats to access the North Channel of Georgian Bay. Railroad traffic was discontinued many years ago but it is still used for vehicular traffic.
Perhaps the most important feature of the bridge is that there is a really great ice cream parlour just past the bridge on the Manitoulin side! Seriously, the ice cream is locally produced and it is to die for![dinner][(-D][(-D][(-D][:D]
Dave
Thanks for openning the forum.
I came across a small box of slides mixed in with my train stuff. It slides from different years in my life. The best was an old fire engine. There was also a pretty girl in my photography class. I must say the lighting was perfect.
She had a young child and if she was not the photo professors girlfriend, the class would have been stunned. I can’t remember her name, but I remember his. Ed had a big blonde beard, before people commonly had beards.
He had a story of being a press photographer and covering President Eisenhower. It was a hot day and Ike was complaining he was thirsty. He went a bought Ike a coke and pushed through the crowd and thrust it at Ike. The secret service agents were not pleased.
Photography was the most enjoyable course I ever took.
Smooooth mooooove Dave! [Y] I used to go with a group of guys to Dryden, to a resort on an “every other year” fishing adventure.
And many adventures were had…[:O] That was in the early 70’s. I couldn’t find that resort right now, or if it even still exist, but I remember Dryden was the closest town for things, including local pubs, which had seperate entrances for men and women.
And where we bought cases of Labott’s to take back to camp with us, it was like going to the post office, everyone who worked there was in uniform, and you made your choice, looking through a glass case, and a worker would bring it out to the pick up.
We could only bring a few walleyes back across the border, I think it was 6 a piece, but we ate walleyes ( and drank Labott’s) morning noon and night while at the resort.
Mike.
Good morning
A nice wake up in Ontario this morning. The Host with the most[Y] … Thanks for moving the Diner Dave!
A beautiful view of the City and I see all the Wilderness is here as well. The first thing I did was enjoy my ride in the 4-4-0 cab on # 136.
Enjoyed all the pics. & vids. Great job Dave! Thanks[swg]
TF
One of the great scenic railways in North America is the Agawa Canyon Tour Train operated by the Algoma Central Railway. It travels up through the Agawa Canyon from Sault Ste. Marie. In the fall the colours are spectacular. The railway caters to those who would like to adventure into the deep woods. It will stop just about anywhere on its route to let off or pick up back country hikers, campers, canoeists and hunters. Check out the ‘Stories and Galleries’ section. Unfortunately the video isn’t working:
http://www.agawatrain.com/the-train/
Here are some of the photos:
Dave
Meanwhile, back in Toronto, there is some great railway history being preserved thanks to the Toronto Railway Historical Association:
http://www.trha.ca/trha/
Here are a few pictures of what they have to offer:
The John St. roundhouse is a neat place. It even houses a brewery!
The roundhouse is a great place to start your tour of Toronto. It is right next to the Skydome where the Toronto Blue Jays play, and just across the street is the Ripley’s Aquarium. No, you can’t bring your fishing rod! However, a couple of years ago one adventurous sole doffed his clothes and went for a swim in the shark tank! Good thing the sharks were well fed! All he got was arrested![(-D][(-D]
Dave
Also in downtown Toronto is the massive Union Station. Construction was started in 1914 but because of materials shortages during WWI it didn’t actually begin operations until 1927. It is still in heavy use as the major commuter hub in the city.
Dave
I liked the Fall colors and reflection at Ogawa Canyon, Stubby the switcher and the massive Round House where you can get a beer on your visit, … I’m Inn! and may stay there for a while on this trip[(-D]
P.S. The Union Station is impressive with all its stonework and beautiful floor, … let’s see if I can carve that out of foam with a pen[(-D][;)]
My mother always commented, “The further you go North, the more beautiful it gets”. The thing I always loved about Canada is thier beautiful cities, quaint little towns, just a hop skip and a jump and you’re back in the wilderness again. Not too many places in the world like that[Y]
TF
Nice job Dave.
https://youtu.be/MojqoNz-_Cw
This is the museum sometimes diner patron Trolley Rob volunteered at. Haven’t heard from him for a while but if the link works it’s worth a look. J.R.
Edit: I did what Ed said to make the video visible.
Thanks GMT! I didn’t even know the place existed!
Dave
And now, let’s make the link watchable [:D]
Just copy the YouTube link from the header and paste it into the video icon menu box at the MR site [Y]
Amtrak is FORTY-NINE today! Happy Birthday, Amtrak!
Amtrak_631-641_DC-3-23-79 by Edmund, on Flickr
RR_views_0001 by Edmund, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
Thanks for the move. I locked up the old place for you.
It’s Friday, we’re in Ontario, and virtual calories don’t count, so let’s have some poutine!
Have a good weekend, and stay healthy, everybody!
Good morning … I’ll have an original Tim Horton’s donut and TH coffee please.
(Edit) Steve O … Thanks for the poutine. Looks good, but I had a donut. Later it will be yummy.
Dave ! … Great job moving the Diner !!!
I recall many trips to Toronto and Montreal for meetings with CN. I worked in Detroit for CN’s GTW. Before VIA Rail was created, we traveled on CN trains from Windsor, across the river from Detroit. The CN trains between Windsor and Trornto had nice quipment, and they were called “Tempo” trains.
In Toronto, we often stayed at the Royal York Hotel which was across the street from Union Station. I remember the CN Tower was under construction during those times.
If going to Montreal, we changed trains at Toronto for an overnight trip in a sleeping car.
Ed … Thanks for observing Amtrak’s anniversary !
…
Below is my “West End Depot” I just made. More photos are in Weekend Phto Fun .
That is an unfair temptation. With the lockdown I cannot get any real poutine right now, and the virtual kind will not hit the target.
-Kevin
Great suggestion Steven! Harvey’s Burgers has the best tasting poutine! Unfortunately their portions are disappointingly small. If you are going to eat unhealthy food, IMHO go big or go home![dinner][tup]
Dave
Thank You Canada!
Mask shortage? Not for ME [:D]
Crown-face by Edmund, on Flickr
I don’t know how I come up with these ideas, but in a moment of deep contemplation, while unsheathing another bottle from the pretty, royal blue satchel it just came to me!
Golden drawstrings included!
I think I’m on the cutting-edge of a fashion trend [Y]
Here’s to 'ya! Ed