Railpictures.ca - Keith Hansen photo, Dan Dell'Unto coll. Photo: On what appears to be a humid August day, CP SW1200RS 8124 passes through West Toronto with a short local or transfer freight, curving around the southwestern quadrant of West Toronto on the Galt Subdivision after coming north from the Parkdale area, and heading west towards West Toronto/Lambton Yards. This was taken looking south from the old vantage point of Old Weston Road overpass (partially visible on the right), that was closed off to traffic and eventually demolished during the 1980′s. It was long a popular train-watching spot dating back to the steam era. Most of the train appears to be double door 40′ boxcars (popular for lumber use), as well as a pair of PGE 50′ combo-door boxcars. A wooden van brings up the rear past the platforms of West Toronto Station (demolished in the early 80′s by CP while the City of Toronto was trying to have it designated with heritage protection status). The old parking lot and crane track are visible north of the station. In the background, notable buildings include Penfound Varnish (mural obscured by trees to the left), Viceroy Rubber at Dupont (middle), Tower Automotive (lone office tower in the middle background), and The Crossways Mall apartment towers (right). Some of this scene has remained the same, but much has changed dramatically. Keith Hansen photo, Dan Dell’Unto collection slide. | Railpictures.ca – Canadian Railway Photography

On what appears to be a humid August day, CP SW1200RS 8124 passes through West Toronto with a short local or transfer freight, curving around the southwestern quadrant of West Toronto on the Galt Subdivision after coming north from the Parkdale area, and heading west towards West Toronto/Lambton Yards. This was taken looking south from the old vantage point of Old Weston Road overpass (partially visible on the right), that was closed off to traffic and eventually demolished during the 1980's. It was long a popular train-watching spot dating back to the steam era.

Most of the train appears to be double door 40' boxcars (popular for lumber use), as well as a pair of PGE 50' combo-door boxcars. A wooden van brings up the rear past the platforms of West Toronto Station (demolished in the early 80's by CP while the City of Toronto was trying to have it designated with heritage protection status). The old parking lot and crane track are visible north of the station. In the background, notable buildings include Penfound Varnish (mural obscured by trees to the left), Viceroy Rubber at Dupont (middle), Tower Automotive (lone office tower in the middle background), and The Crossways Mall apartment towers (right). Some of this scene has remained the same, but much has changed dramatically.

Keith Hansen photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.

Caption: On what appears to be a humid August day, CP SW1200RS 8124 passes through West Toronto with a short local or transfer freight, curving around the southwestern quadrant of West Toronto on the Galt Subdivision after coming north from the Parkdale area, and heading west towards West Toronto/Lambton Yards. This was taken looking south from the old vantage point of Old Weston Road overpass (partially visible on the right), that was closed off to traffic and eventually demolished during the 1980's. It was long a popular train-watching spot dating back to the steam era.

Most of the train appears to be double door 40' boxcars (popular for lumber use), as well as a pair of PGE 50' combo-door boxcars. A wooden van brings up the rear past the platforms of West Toronto Station (demolished in the early 80's by CP while the City of Toronto was trying to have it designated with heritage protection status). The old parking lot and crane track are visible north of the station. In the background, notable buildings include Penfound Varnish (mural obscured by trees to the left), Viceroy Rubber at Dupont (middle), Tower Automotive (lone office tower in the middle background), and The Crossways Mall apartment towers (right). Some of this scene has remained the same, but much has changed dramatically.

Keith Hansen photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.

Photographer:	Keith Hansen photo, Dan Dell'Unto coll. [938] (more) (contact)
Date:	08/09/1977 (search)
Railway:	Canadian Pacific (search)
Reporting Marks:	CP 8124 (search)
Train Symbol:	Not Provided
Subdivision/SNS:	West Toronto - CP Galt Sub (search)
City/Town:	West Toronto (search)
Province:	Ontario (search)
Share Link:	http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=50251

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2 Comments

BradKetchen

October 25, 2022 at 8:42 am

Excellent Historical shot in my neck of the woods by Mr Hansen, Keith. Thanks for sharing. Question: Why was the City of Toronto unsuccessful having the station designated heritage protection status? You think they would have ruled. Normally it’s us ‘Heritage types’ that would want to preserve it but the City would sell out to potential developers.
MrDan

October 25, 2022 at 4:20 pm

IIRC CP insisted they needed to demolish it to accommodate a realigned Galt Sub mainline track for GO’s Milton line service. The city was going through the motions to save it, but one day CP showed up and knocked it down before the politicians could put a stop to it. By the time it was known, it was too late.

Apparently, the city was mad at CP for this, and it was one of the reasons CP later donated John St. roundhouse downtown to the city for a potential rail museum.

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BradKetchen

October 25, 2022 at 8:42 am

Excellent Historical shot in my neck of the woods by Mr Hansen, Keith. Thanks for sharing. Question: Why was the City of Toronto unsuccessful having the station designated heritage protection status? You think they would have ruled. Normally it’s us ‘Heritage types’ that would want to preserve it but the City would sell out to potential developers.

MrDan

October 25, 2022 at 4:20 pm

IIRC CP insisted they needed to demolish it to accommodate a realigned Galt Sub mainline track for GO’s Milton line service. The city was going through the motions to save it, but one day CP showed up and knocked it down before the politicians could put a stop to it. By the time it was known, it was too late.

Apparently, the city was mad at CP for this, and it was one of the reasons CP later donated John St. roundhouse downtown to the city for a potential rail museum.