VIA Canadian's Route Out of Toronto

VIA's Canadian gets out of Toronto, but not quickly. With the evolution of maintenance facilities, the loss of the Spadina loop track, and changes in Union Station operations, a new route was found. Then, a flyover was built at Snider to make Barrie GO Transit train traffic more fluid. I'll have to research the history of this line separation, although my previous transcontinental trips had various route options on both the CN Bala AND Newmarket Subdivisions.The usual procedure has VIA No 1 proceeding northward on the CN Newmarket Subdivision across the flyover at Snider. Then the train backs westward toward MacMillan Yard. It then proceeds eastward (forward) on the York Sub under the flyover. The northwest-quadrant connecting track is used at Doncaster, and the train proceeds north out of Toronto on the CN Bala Subdivision. Googlemaps view of Snider (up, left, right!):

Googlemaps view of Doncaster (right-up!):

Thanks to Gary Hadfield for sharing his excellent diagram of the movements:

Upon arrival back in Toronto via the CN Bala Subdivision to Union Station, the Canadian consist is taken to the Toronto Maintenance Centre. The serviced train backs east from Mimico to Union Station for the next departure. We departed Toronto on the Canadian in June, 2019. The passengers in the Skyline dome were in the chattery, getting-to-know-each-other stage. I tried my best to document the moves. Here we are climbing the flyover:

The plastics plant at right is an area landmark. The York Sub westward at centre, and bottom right is the track on which we'll back up after descending the flyover:

Coming down the flyover, our view out the window shows plastic granule silos and covered hoppers spotted. Bottom of dome window frame at bottom:

Looking back as we are descending the flyover, the tail-end Park car just visible in centre background. That's our next track at right:

Zoomed-in view of second Skyline and Park as No 1 descends:

We are down and reversing south then west to the York Sub, with that plastics plant visible at right:

Now passing the plastics spurs as we continue reversing, squealing through the connecting track:

We're heading east on the York Sub, passing the Snider sign, approaching the plastics plant coming up on our left. Yes, the dome seat upholstery ahead is a bit ratty!

Heading east, passing where we came from - the connecting track. At this point, our Australian fellow traveller ahead asks. "Does this train go to British Columbia?"

About to cross under the flyover heading east on the York Sub for Doncaster, looking south. "The Italian Job" at right with dome window frame at top:

We're now heading from east to north at Doncaster. Look at that sinewy stainless steel snake we're sitting in! Also sitting in is a local railfan in the blue car:

Running extra...

As if RIPPED from the headlines. Fire engulfs a building at Kingston's Pat Rogers Towing yard on Creekford Road, July 4. One million dollars damage and rotten timing. Why? Because that old wooden boxcar,  visible at centre of this local media screen capture, is one I'd just noticed and I've wanted to photograph. (I wonder if they moved a trailer out of the way, because I don't recall seeing it there before and it must have been there all this time!)

VIA strike averted! I don't know who was more panicky - UNIFOR union members or passengers with tickets booked on the Canadian. Probably the latter, due to possible stranding once the train got to Winnipeg until further travel arrangements would be made! We missed out on our Winnipeg stopover due to our late arrival in June 2019, so maybe I'm just a little envious. 

One thing I'm not envious of - wearing special specs for modelmaking. But they suuuuure help! Watch for an upcoming post on my summertime modelling: The Blue & Red Cushions Construction Co.