Help for a visit to Ottawa

[grumbeast]

Well, I'm finally visiting my new nations capital next week!
My wife and I are going to a family reunion and are taking the train from
Halifax to Montreal and then on to Ottawa. While this "isn't" a railfan
trip, I was wondering if anyone knows of anything I must see, or of any locations I could sneak off too for an hour as I'll only have one full day free(ish) before leaving for home.

Thanks in Advance!

Graham

 

[MasonJar]

Rail related things:

- public transit's "O-Train" - costs $2 and you can ride all day. 'Course, you don't actually go anywhere useful...

- Museum of Science and Tech's steamers on display

- Smiths Falls Railway Museum (about 1 hour from Ottawa)

- Ottawa's old (or even new) Union Station(s). The new is a public place, but the old has been turned into a government conference centre. Don't know how far you'd get just walking in there...

- Several good local train shops (LTS's)

PM me and I'll provide some more details...

Andrew

 

[interurban]

Sounds like fun Graham ,, take your camera with you!!Have fun.

 

[siderod]

Graham,

Take a camera and film, you'll enjoy it!

Be sure to take some pics of the new VIA equipment for all us "EasteRRN BeNdeRR's" ok?!

And yes, i DID jsut figure out who you are! lol

 

[grumbeast]

Thanks for the help!...

I'll take my camera for sure, I have to find some way of getting slides
scanned... aaargh my constant bane!... Glad you finally made it to the gauge Andrew!.. This is by far the best online forum there is!

Graham

 

[railwaybob]

In addition to what MasonJar has said, when you come into Ottawa from Montreal, you'll see a small bit of action from the train. Ottawa is now a small shadow of its former self with respect to trains.

In addition, you can always visit
Walkley Yard - home of Ottawa Central Railway (no trespassing)
Smiths Falls VIA (ex CPR station) if you go to Smiths Falls. There's usually lots of action there if it's a busy day. Smiths Falls Railway Museum is open (if you go, ask for me (Bob Moore) and we'll give you a personal tour (if I'm around).

 

[grumbeast]

Thanks Bob,

I got this message when I returned so it was too late to take you up on the offer!.. As it was I didn't get much time but did manage to sneak a visit to the Museum of Science and Tech and look at the locomotives there.

Had a little time at Montreal but not enough to go anywhere and the station is lousy for railfanning *sigh*. Still, I may be visiting Montreal more in the fall and a trip to Smiths Falls would definately be on the cards if I do!


Thanks once again

Graham