Toronto Railway Museum
Toronto Railway Museum
3.5
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Toronto Railway Museum is dedicated to sharing the history and experience of rail transportation in Toronto and Ontario. The museum is located inside Stall 17 of the John Street Roundhouse National Historic Site Roundhouse Park. Don Station houses our gift shop and ticket sales for our Miniature Train ride. Join us for a guided tour of the train cars and buildings located onsite.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: CityPlace
How to get there
- Union • 9 min walk
- St. Andrew • 10 min walk
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3.5
332 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
152
Average
78
Poor
23
Terrible
12
TheOutsider55
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK210 contributions
Dec 2021
We (2 couples) decided to pay a visit to the railway museum as part of a wider trip to Toronto. Based on the old rolling stock outside the museum, we were looking forward to what was on offer inside. As soon as we stepped inside, we knew we had made a mistake. The 10 dollar per person entry fee which had seemed OK beforehand suddenly became a king's ransom. There was a quarter of a large hanger given over to some very lacklustre exhibits - many of which weren't working. There were two carriages to explore but there was really nothing of interest and aside the train simulator (which I think was intended for children but we were scraping the barrel by this point), there was nothing to illuminate what must have been such an important part of the City's history. We challenged the fee but the woman on the desk has probably heard it a thousand times before and was adept at some corporate spiel to try and justify it. We stayed 20 minutes max and that was with making every effort to try and see beyond the dully displayed information. 40 dollars for 20 minutes. Definitely not worth it and what a missed opportunity to create something of interest and even excitement for the many people who love trains and train history. Stick to looking at the trains outside if you do go (it's fee) and enter at your own peril ...
Written 15 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walter Gramiak
Pittsford, NY6 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
The outdoor train roundhouse and exhibits were interesting and well done. However, when I entered the small door at stall 17 which was advertised with a sign as the actual train museum I got quite a shock. After paying $10 and entering, I soon realized that this was just a very small room with only a few train artifacts. It was basically a room used to trap tourists into paying $10 each. I requested a refund and only after enduring arguments that I should pay because I had already seen the whole museum, even though it was tiny and contained nothing much of consequence. This was obviously a ploy to extract $10 from unknowing tourists to pay for seeing the trains on display on the outside the museum. It is very dishonest and the organization which devised this setup should be embarrassed by the trickery.
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe S
2 contributions
July 2022
We decided to wait in line for the Railway Museum and we were completely disappointed once we got inside. There were only few pictures on the walls and half a rail car to explore after you get inside. In addition, you have to pay $1 for a mask if you don’t bring one. (Not stated on the entrance) We immediately demanded our money back. Please don’t waste your time here.
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donnell A
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Solo
Nothing and I mean nothing to see at this "museum".
14 dollars for a "museum" you can view from the front door. Photos, some old china, and some poorly researched and displayed wall displays.
Restorations? Another joke. This place is not capable of handling and or "restoring" railroad equipment.
The environment? A bunch of yuppie breweries and restaurants in a historic railroad building.
The hotel room I booked is larger than this "museum". Outdoors? A poor "collection" of locomotives and rolling stock.
The only attraction at this "museum" is the CN 6213, which I'm told has zero public access beyond the chain fence erected 10-15 feet around it. No way to inspect the locomotive close up or even take a half decent photo. So if you are a railfan, railroader, or someone with more than a passing interest in trains, locomotives, or railroading history, this is NOT the place for you.
The two girls who I guess act as museum "staff" are worthless.
I should've read these reviews before making the drive, paying for parking, and walking to this "museum". The city of Toronto and Canada in general should be embarrassed calling this 10' x 8.5' room a "railroad museum".
Would NOT recommend.
14 dollars for a "museum" you can view from the front door. Photos, some old china, and some poorly researched and displayed wall displays.
Restorations? Another joke. This place is not capable of handling and or "restoring" railroad equipment.
The environment? A bunch of yuppie breweries and restaurants in a historic railroad building.
The hotel room I booked is larger than this "museum". Outdoors? A poor "collection" of locomotives and rolling stock.
The only attraction at this "museum" is the CN 6213, which I'm told has zero public access beyond the chain fence erected 10-15 feet around it. No way to inspect the locomotive close up or even take a half decent photo. So if you are a railfan, railroader, or someone with more than a passing interest in trains, locomotives, or railroading history, this is NOT the place for you.
The two girls who I guess act as museum "staff" are worthless.
I should've read these reviews before making the drive, paying for parking, and walking to this "museum". The city of Toronto and Canada in general should be embarrassed calling this 10' x 8.5' room a "railroad museum".
Would NOT recommend.
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback on your visit to the Toronto Railway Museum earlier this year.
Our apologies for the fencing around CN 6213, the City of Toronto is addressing a sinkhole in the park near the locomotive and has closed off public access. Our museum volunteers do offer tours of CN 6213 upon request as visitors must be accompanied around the CN 6213 for safety reasons at the moment.
During the summer guided tours are offered of the train cars on the grounds, where you can see the interior restoration work that has been done. The museum gift shop, Cabin D, and the mini train rides are closed during the winter months.
In regards to the main gallery, we offer a train simulator, children's area, and access to the Halifax passenger car. Our small gallery space is schedule for a full upgrade in 2025 and I hope you are able to visit again to see the improvements.
Written 1 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Valise
82 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Have been here more than once. Is lovely when it is quiet and not full of rambunctious children as one can really take one's time but comes alive in summer. It's in one of the sheds, 17, in the roundhouse - walk into a perfume of soot and oil and grease and metal and engine dust. Films of the golden age with Gordon Lightfoot's railway trilogy playing in the background, plaques, dishes, timetables, model railways, a squirrel running around, restoration going on on an engine they use to move the outside cars/rolling stock (engine #10). The Nova Scotia wooden passenger car named Sans Pareil ("without equal") parlour and dining car from 1896 of the DAR became the business car after major extension, for the DAR VP (private apartments, meeting room and office). It survived the 1917 Halifax explosion that caused the roof of the station to collapse on the car and the VP and his whole family were in it and survived... brass railings, horsehair insulation, viewing platforms. Inside focuses on the the Canadian National, Canadian Pacific and the Dominion Atlantic. Managed once to play with the train simulator, which I could have kept up for hours. Outside there are engines ad cars that, during the summer, can be clambered upon by child and adult alike. Engine 4803. Canadian Pacific Cape Race. Toronto Hamilton Buffalo Caboose. Huts and stations and track changing booths. There is a gift shop and a mini Go Train that runs around the park on a single track. Oh the days of yore!
Written 3 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TorontoMusicman
Toronto1,090 contributions
Jan 2023
A small museum displaying railroad memorabilia. there is a larger outdoor display that does not require an admission ticket.
Steam Whistle Brewery is next door as well as a restaurant run by the brewing company.
Steam Whistle Brewery is next door as well as a restaurant run by the brewing company.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug L
Toronto, Canada18 contributions
Sept 2022
The best part was riding to the miniature train even though it only took 6-8 minutes.
The museum was tiny. It would have been far better if there was more to see. I would not say it was worth the trip all the way downtown. It is not an easy place to get to. The turntable with a train on it was interesting. You can see the entire place in well under 1 hour.
The museum was tiny. It would have been far better if there was more to see. I would not say it was worth the trip all the way downtown. It is not an easy place to get to. The turntable with a train on it was interesting. You can see the entire place in well under 1 hour.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
doctorfoxtrot
Taguig City, Philippines13,163 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Just fronting the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium is an outdoor exhibit with displays of railroad cars and locomotive engines. Liked that they charge nothing for this museum , and that it somehow retain its previous history and heritage . I noticed however that the indoor portion was closed . Is it because of winter. But I loved strolling around and taking photos .
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PavlaPavla
Chrudim, Czech Republic7,538 contributions
Dec 2019
This museum is located just below the CN Tower. There are a lot of outdoor exhibits in the Roundhouse Park and it is free to walk there. It is definitely worth a visit even if you are not a big train lover.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterCarolynn
Milles Isles, Canada44 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
Very cool that they have housed this is the old switching station. Don't just look at the articles on display... (although they are displayed very nicely). Take a good look at the interior of the building itself. Beautifully built, there is still the soot marks on the ceiling from the old train smoke stacks. The train simulator was very interesting and it took quite a few minutes before we could figure out how to get the train going! They also have a mini train set for kids to play with and that was nice for the 5 year old we could read the other details of exhibits. We are looking forward to returning to see the restoration of the "Nova Scotia" car. We sincerely hope the city or province will fund their restorations and expansions.
Written 10 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have a 2 1/2 year old who loves trains and wants to ride on the children's train - when is it open on Sunday the 1st of July/ 2018 we are going to the Blue Jay game and want to take this event in as well - how much time should we alot?
Written 27 June 2018
I believe it is open 12-5 on Sundays- recommended duration is about 60 - 90 mins depending on how fascinating you find trains!
Written 27 June 2018
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