The first phase of the fully restored railway village opened in May 2010. When I came across the place by chance in late fall of 2010, the installations were closed for the season but we could stroll around the park and admire full-sized locomotives, the giant turntable, a lovely train mural, nicely restored Cabin C interlocking tower and the Don Station, both from 1896, and a 1914 gatehouse. The Toronto Railway Heritage Association (TRHA) is responsible for the outdoor exhibitions and also manages a railway museum on the premises, with interpretive displays (including the original switchboard system of Cabin D). When they have enough volunteers, they offer historical tours and run a miniature train holding 24 people for a half-kilometre ride (hence the small tracks throughout the park). We can also hop on board one engineer’s cab and watch a computer simulated ride set in the 1950’s, in an actual diesel locomotive by the roundhouse.
