all aboard: the model railroad club of toronto open house
When I finally ventured out again yesterday after Friday’s storm that blanketed Toronto with 30cm of snow, I didn’t have to travel far for a visual treat and a testament to the passions and hard-work of many individuals to create something quite wonderful to behold. And something that speaks to so many of my interests – travel, mid century design, old architecture, trains, Canadian heritage – albeit in miniature form. The Model Railroad Club of Toronto, celebrating its 75th anniversary, is nearing its last run at the Liberty Village location that it has called home for the past 67 years. The MRCT model recreates the feel of a late 1950s railroad, travelling through and making stops at over a dozen ‘central Ontario’ towns, hamlets, and ports.
A recent casualty of Toronto’s development drive, the Club is dismantling its stunning model railroad (the largest private O-scale train model in North America) in early Spring 2013. Plans are underway to relocate and begin rebuilding the model railway in a new location two-thirds the size, in east Toronto, beginning in May 2013. It will take tens of thousands of dollars and more thousands of hours to move and rebuild (donations are welcomed), all the work voluntarily performed by members.
The Club hopes to be up and running once again in 2015. But before the move, the public is invited to enjoy the present setting one last time at the Club’s model railway show / open house, today Sunday February 10, 2013 and throughout the Family Day holiday weekend next weekend February 16 to 18, from 11am to 5pm daily. Admission: Adults $10 | Seniors $8 | Children $6
This is an image intensive post as there is just so much to take in, and I wanted to share so many viewpoints of the immense detail of the model setting that it was impossible to pare down the pics anymore of this special and unique setting, a piece of Toronto and railway heritage.
Great article Susan…this is definitely one of Toronto’s hidden treasures for young and old alike. We visited a couple of years ago and loved it. One hint for those visiting with kids is to bring your own stool, it is a bit of a hassle but it gets so busy and there are so few places where young kids can see with out being held up it is well worth the effort!
Aw these are heartwarming photos, I’m so glad you did a post on this. I was into model trains as a child thanks to my dad, and I have great memories of going to model train shows with him. I haven’t seen something like this in over 20 years!
Thanks! It is truly an enchanting model railroad, something really special to behold.
Great photos. We scouted there years ago to use in a film. I think in the end we built our own (much smaller) version.
Thanks, Greg. Indeed it is a special installation. It’ll be great to see it up and running in the new location.
How I wish I could hop on over from France and take my 3 young boys to see this! I will bookmark your article to show them. Thanks.
Oh how I wish I could hop over to France!