An interesting email introduced itself into my information-inundated inbox at the very end of 2025, from Hamilton's
Don MacVicar. The ensuing reading and exploring was like opening a can of cranberry for Christmas dinner. Taking off the lid and enjoying the contents added so much goodness to what was just another meal, er, day. This story of the 'Larry Paikin Literacy Express' involves a lot of people: Larry Paikin, Steve Paikin, Eva Rothwell, and Don, without whom I would not have learned about where VIA 9301 has reached its End of Steel. For good. (Top photo - courtesy Don MacVicar, posted to Railpictures by
Dan Tweedle.)
DREAM BECOMES REALITY - THE LARRY PAIKIN LITERACY EXPRESS
Rotarian Larry Paikin has given 63 years of service to the Rotary Club of Hamilton. Known for his quiet leadership and unwavering commitment, Larry has been a driving force behind countless Rotary initiatives—from literacy projects to hands-on community service. His legacy includes championing the creation of the Literacy Express at the Eva Rothwell Centre and supporting Hamilton’s cultural scene through the establishment of the Hamilton Philharmonic and Hamilton Place.
Professionally, Larry helped build the Golden Horseshoe skyline contributing to the Skydome as part of Toronto's skyline, and in his nineties could still be seen with his Lexus and its 'REBAR' licence plate. President of Ennis-Paikin Steel, a Hamilton steel firm and industrial locomotive dealer.
In October 2010 the Paikin family met with the Eva Rothwell Centre's founding president Don MacVicar, to discuss an idea to enhance the reading skills of the children of the Eva Rothwell Centre community centre, housed in the former Robert Land School. Larry, Steve and Jeff Paikin suggested a rail car to become the new home of the program - to inspire young children with the joy of reading in a unique setting. This set the wheels literally in motion, and work on the Larry Paikin Literacy Express began in 2011 and it opened for reading programs in 2014.
The Express is a restored railcar turned-library at the Centre into which children step aboard to discover books, imagination, and possibility. The project's goal is to improve low literacy rates in the Hamilton's north-end Keith neighbourhood. Eva Rothwell was born in 1913 and attended Robert Land School as a child. She married Frank Palonek, and they continued to live in the Keith neighborhood. They were both active members of the community and owned a store in the neighborhood. She took part in fundraising for many worthy causes and loved to give back to her community. Google Maps view of the Centre and 9301:
FINDING AND REFURBISHING 9301
The search for a home for the Literacy Express imaginatively extended to inspections of used railcars in North Bay, Guelph, and Minnesota. Having found ex-VIA 9301, on May 30, 2011 Don met with 9301's owner, Wayne Ettinger at the Trillium Railway, signing an agreement to buy 9301 for $30,000. Canadian Pacific donated the cost of handling the car to RailCare in Hamilton.
A rare bird, 9301 was one of four cars converted by VIA 1984 to baggage-coaches. It began its life as CN 5608 built by Canadian Car & Foundry in 1954; cafe-coach-lounge 3015 from 1964-72; cafe-bar-lounge 2508 from 1972-84 (transferred to VIA in 1978), sold to Ontario government/ONR; leased to
Algoma Central, 1990. Algoma Central
removed the baggage section and doors, likely for sale in 2010. In 2013, 9301 arrived in Algoma Central overall grey, with faded yellow and maroon frame stripes on the Port Colborne Harbour Railway/Trillium Railway.
Wayne Hannon, General Manager of Railcare Inc.(now Genesee & Wyoming Inc.) started the demolition and then reconstruction of the 9301. Through CareGo, Bob Edwards was the site engineer working alongside Wayne. They hired two students to start on the demolition. CareGo also waived the demurrage of the hosting of the railcar in the yard for 18 months, saving $100,000. In total, $100,000 was raised for the project, with $125,000 of in-kind donations.
One end of 9301 features a plush lounge with comfortable recliners, while the larger section's walls are completely lined with books, many of which were donated by publisher Random House.
Inside, the original red coach seats were removed, the interior was gutted back to the steel supports, Bill Veitch and carpenters framed the interior, added three inches of foam insulation then air-conditioning and heating were installed. S&G Electrical donated time and materials. The exterior was sand-blasted and repainted in CN colours. Blair Hubber, President of Lancaster Group Ltd. wanted to ensure the children were warm in the winter and cool in the summer - his team installed a complete HVAC system. Bruce Wells was the volunteer site superintendent from New Horizon Group, managing five trades during the last month of the project. Over eighty feet of carpet and oak panelling and Dulux Paints completed the interior. Tables for the dining area donated by the Ancaster Old Mill. The chairs were donated by the Prince of Wales Vintage Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The curtains were designed, hand-made, donated and installed by Joyce Vanderwoude.
SITE PREPARATION AND 9301 ARRIVES
Gord Mason of G. Mason Construction and his team offered to help build the foundation for the 80-ton 9301, located on a triangular corner intersection of Munroe St. and Wentworth St. N. Gary Moran supplied the rail and P&G Rail installed the track. Gerry Rosenfeld of Fairview Landscaping removed 200 feet of the old fence surrounding the site, before installing a beautiful new fence and much needed access gates for the safety of the children. Riggers from ArcelorMittal Dofasco were on-site in the rainy early morning placing 9301's trucks onto the rails. Empire Transportation handled the move of 9301 to its new home, complete with Hamilton Police escort. Two ArcelorMittal Dofasco cranes gingerly placed 9301 onto its waiting trucks, mere steps from Hamilton harbour and the famed steel mills of 'The Hammer'.
Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell officially opened the retrofitted passenger car after being welcomed with a pipe band and red carpet. "The choice of a railway car is really quite inspired because it represents the start of a journey," Dowdeswell said. "A place that can nourish the spirit and expand their horizons."
Steve Paikin, recently retired from TVO's
The Agenda after 19 seasons, and Larry's son, was the event’s host - formerly TVO's highest paid and arguably best-known staff member. Now the host of TVO Today Live and the Paikin Podcast, and the co-host of the #onpoli podcast, Steve is also a columnist for TVO.org and the Toronto Star, and has published ten books. Steve was invested as an officer of the Order of Canada by Governor- General David Johnston, and a member of the Order of Ontario by Lieutenant-Governor David Onley, both in 2013. In 2025, Lieutenant-Governor Edith Dumont presented him with a King Charles III Coronation Medal. Guess who Steve's final guest was on The Agenda (posted to social media):
I published
my original post on VIA's 9300's and 9400's in November, 2022 because it was devilishly difficult to distinguish the two car series from each other. The post garnered the Reverend Don MacVicar's reverent comment nearly three years later! Don, while pursuing higher education at McMaster University and Mohawk College, never lost sight of where he wanted to work and volunteer. As an employee of ArcelorMittal Dofasco for the past 40 years, now retired, he and his wife Carole also celebrated 35 years of volunteering as the co-directors and founders of the InnerCity Outreach Ministry. Don and Carole have both been named Hamilton Citizens of the Year, and Don is the founder of the Eva Rothwell Centre which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Don offered to send some photos of this amazing project, and he did!
"I just saw your post from September and thought I would forward the photos on to you for the CN 9301 passenger car that has been renovated for the children. CN 9301 that was in Algoma then moved to Welland Ont. We then purchased it and transformed it into the Larry Paikin Literacy Express where children are on the passenger car each day Monday to Friday with a one-on-one tutor to enhance their reading. I can send photos if you like.
-Kind regards. Don, in Hamilton, Ontario"
THE PROJECT IN PICTURES
Don did indeed send a very complete set of photos showing the work on 9301's interior, exterior, site preparation and final appearance. I'd like to thank Don for sharing these photos with me, adding an interesting chapter to the life of these unique VIA cars.
What an amazing project! As someone who has read books to two children and three grandchildren, just as my Dad read to my decades ago from the original Thomas the Tank Engine book series by Rev. W.W. Awdry, I know the excitement of seeing the lightbulb-on moments that come with the dawn of literacy.
Don shared some of his memories that inspired 9301's interior layout:
"My first ride on a train was in 1959 travelling from Sydney, NS to Edmonton as a three year-old. Discovering the berth we had, the neat fixtures - the club car was my favourite. I designed the Larry Paikin Literacy Express in that way. We came in the one end of the train car, picked up our books, and went to the dining area with six tables: three (two) seaters and then three (four-seater) tables. The children do their homework there and then they can go to the reading area at the far end of the passenger car and do their reading.
Although we are in the heart of the industrial area with industry all around, the rail car is sound proof as we have four inches of insulation foam around the whole car with carpet on the floor and heated in the winter and A/C in the summer. Gord Martineau formerly of City TV said it could actually make a great sound studio as it is so well-insulated."
The car looks great both inside and out and I hope it will continue to fulfill its important role for years to come!
Lots o' links:
Running extra...
Coming next week - it's Trackside Treasure's 18th anniversary. I'm looking forward to the Crystal Anniversary-inspired Trackside Treasure Annibursary going forth for its fourth time for a deserving honoree! Fore! It's my opportunity to give back to this community - I put down my pen once each year to ruminate on the big picture and what continues to inspire me to keep on pressing the 'Publish' button each week. See you there!
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon made an announcement on rail/marine transportation costs for steel shipments in Hamilton this past week, and this was the backdrop:
Staffers adjust the height of the podium, position the speakers, but not so much the motive power:
CN 4730's unusual red cab/stripes combo! I know, I know, paint doesn't determine profitability, but it does project corporate pride. Or lack of it.
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