Old Time Trains

Toronto Terminals Railway

Union Station Rail Corridor

An enormous $640 million modernization and expansion of Union Station began in 2009 including major expansion of the GO Transit facilities and a new retail area comprising an entire new lower level addition beneath existing ground level. This construction is the most complicated part involving work on 447 large columns that support the upper structure including the moving trains themselves. For this reason only three at a time can be modified removing the several metre high portion of the rough-hewn lower part of the column that has been encased in lake fill for decades and replace it with new material. A large number of new elevators to track level are part of the improvements. Replacing most of the old train shed (except for the ends) with an atrium complete with solar panels is part of the work. Replacement of old slip switches with modern switches now permits higher speeds in and out of the station reducing time to get another train in place. A new track control system will replace old tower system in use since original construction. While the majority of the work is for growth of GO trains VIA Rail will also benefit from the improvements to passenger areas. Years of deferred maintenance inside and out is being dealt with especially all of the long vacant offices on upper levels which are scheduled to be bought by GO Transit to end leasing of a large amount of office space at nearby 20 Bay Street to the south of Union Station.

Extention of train shed was added in 2009. Looking east. Track 11 was always a passenger platform without any cover.
The extension added track 12. Later expansion added two more tracks with shorter platforms to the south (right)
with modern style shelter and lighting. Relocated CN High Line is to the far right.
August 16, 2013 Six photographs Jacob Lorinc

New shed roof extends over track 13. Looking west. Note CN Tower in background.

Looking west at track level. Track 13 platform 25 at right and 26 on left. GO train is sitting on track 14 platform 27.

Rebuilt platform tracks 6 and 7.

Remnants of old roof under restoration.

New atrium under construction in center of train shed shows massive size and height.
Begun in January 2010 as part of the $250 million expansion it will take years to complete.

Columns with new lower portions replacing old rough bottom portions.

On to USRC track renovations

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Old Time Trains © 2013 2021

Toronto Terminals Railway

Union Station Rail Corridor

An enormous $640 million modernization and expansion of Union Station began in 2009 including major expansion of the GO Transit facilities and a new retail area comprising an entire new lower level addition beneath existing ground level. This construction is the most complicated part involving work on 447 large columns that support the upper structure including the moving trains themselves. For this reason only three at a time can be modified removing the several metre high portion of the rough-hewn lower part of the column that has been encased in lake fill for decades and replace it with new material. A large number of new elevators to track level are part of the improvements. Replacing most of the old train shed (except for the ends) with an atrium complete with solar panels is part of the work. Replacement of old slip switches with modern switches now permits higher speeds in and out of the station reducing time to get another train in place. A new track control system will replace old tower system in use since original construction. While the majority of the work is for growth of GO trains VIA Rail will also benefit from the improvements to passenger areas. Years of deferred maintenance inside and out is being dealt with especially all of the long vacant offices on upper levels which are scheduled to be bought by GO Transit to end leasing of a large amount of office space at nearby 20 Bay Street to the south of Union Station.

Extention of train shed was added in 2009. Looking east. Track 11 was always a passenger platform without any cover.
The extension added track 12. Later expansion added two more tracks with shorter platforms to the south (right)
with modern style shelter and lighting. Relocated CN High Line is to the far right.
August 16, 2013 Six photographs Jacob Lorinc

New shed roof extends over track 13. Looking west. Note CN Tower in background.

Looking west at track level. Track 13 platform 25 at right and 26 on left. GO train is sitting on track 14 platform 27.

Rebuilt platform tracks 6 and 7.

Remnants of old roof under restoration.

New atrium under construction in center of train shed shows massive size and height.
Begun in January 2010 as part of the $250 million expansion it will take years to complete.

Columns with new lower portions replacing old rough bottom portions.

On to USRC track renovations

Back to Recent History