Toronto Railway Historical Association

Laying Rail on the Turntable

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Don't tangle with these guys! This tough-looking crew are experts in track laying and are presently enjoying the good weather while assembling the rails and ties on our newly restored turntable bridge. Completion of the turntable restoration is now expected by the end of November.
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by Michael Guy, TRHA

Progress on numerous fronts!

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In the left hand picture above, we see the new track section being completed by our track crew
members Scott (left) and Rod. This new stretch of track will allow the CLC Whitcomb access to the turntable.
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In the middle picture, we see that painting is progressing with the cream paint having been completed on this side of the CLC Whitcomb locomotive. At this point in time one of the two diesel engines has successfully been brought to life, while the other is reluctant to go and still requires some work.

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In the right hand picture, we have a view from way up high on the turntable bridge with a PNR Rail Services crew fitting the cross-ties. The steel strips serve to hold intermediate ties that are not hook bolted to the bridge steel from moving sideways. Once this is done, the actual rail will be installed.
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by Michael Guy, TRHA

Preparing the turntable for installation

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After a late departure from the Western Mechanical yard in Barrie (which resulted in the Police escort delaying the convoy at the City limits until rush-hour was over yesterday), the restored turntable bridge safely arrived back at the roundhouse on Tuesday evening. Unloading took several hours but by 11 p.m. it was parked alongside the pit on the west side. Today, the operator platforms were installed (see one platform in the picture at the upper right). PNR rail services have also placed the ties on the bridge as a first step towards completion of the fitting of the ties, rail and the walkway timbers.

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In the picture at the above left, one can see that we have also extended the track upon which the CLC Whitcomb locomotive resides in order to access the turntable.

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by Russ Milland, TRHA

Preparing the turntable pit!

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On Tuesday, October 23rd, workers work to prepare the turntable pit for the imminent installation of the restored turntable bridge in the days to come. As of the end of the day. the pitrails had been installed and only a final tightening of the bolts remained. The turntable itself was in transit from Western Mechanical in Barrie and arrived about 7:30 p.m. at the roundhouse. Come back here often in the next few days to see pictures of the turntable installation.

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by Russ Milland, TRHA

Bringing the Whitcomb to life - the saga continues!

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A TRHA team is working hard to bring the CLC Whitcomb diesel back into operating condition as it will be needed to move engines and rolling stock out of the roundhouse in order to allow the interior of the roundhouse to be fully restored. As soon as the turntable is reinstalled and made operational in November, such moves will be required. .

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At the left, we see the Whitcomb diesel with newly installed lighting in action in a night shot. This was done early in support of the recent and widly successful Toronto-wide "nuit blanche" celebration. One of the many "nuit blanche" events was held in the roundhouse area.

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In the middle picture, the paint scheme for the body of the diesel has been partly applied.

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In the right hand picture, we see five members of the team who have been restoring the Whitcomb posing with it. From left to right are Michael Guy (project leader and VP - TRHA), Dave, Jason, Bob and Mark.

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Finally, there is excellent news from the "diesel hospital". Today, at 11:00 am, Michael and Jason coaxed both engines of the Whitcomb into cranking over under battery power. One engine rotated immediately. The other engine required a bit of muscle power to loosen it before it too cranked over.
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by Russ Milland, TRHA

More progress towards the turntable restoration!

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Yesterday, the new B.C. fir ties and the white oak decking timbers to be used to complete the restoration of the turntable arrived at the roundhouse. Next week, we expect the restored turntable to make the journey back to the roundhouse as well. Visit this news site for further news in the days to come.

by Michael Guy, TRHA

Preparing to lay rail in the turntable pit!

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On October 15th, Western Mechanical sent a truck with two forklifts to assist in getting the turntable pit ring rails out of stalls 31 and 32. After an hour of their working on this task with their small forklift, we decided to use our own Elwell-the-Crane to unstack the rails. Things went much faster after that and we were done by just after noon hour. The curved rails are now out in the park near the pit fence.

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PNR Rail Services has also been busy marking and drilling holes all day for the hold-down bolts for the ring rail. There are many, many holes as there are four per support plate and about 250 plates or so. Rail installation is scheduled to begin on Thursday of this week. A boom truck will be used to lift the rails into the pit.

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All of this work is of course preparing for the reinstallation of the turntable which is expected to occur in November.

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By Michael Guy, TRHA

More progress on the turntable restoration!

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The turntable restoration process nears completion in Barrie. Western Mechanical has completed work on the major components and is now working on final assembly of the air motors, drive bogies and control platforms. The workmanship is first class throughout and the turntable will be fit for many more years of service at the TRHC. Re-installation at John St is expected within a few weeks time.

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By Michael Guy, TRHA