Edward Brain's Blog

Toronto’s Subway Turns 70

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Edward Brain

Today, March 30th, 2024, marks that 70th Birthday of Toronto’s subway system with the opening on the Yonge Line between Union Station and Eglinton.

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Posted in General | Tagged 70th Birthday, Subway, Toronto, Toronto Transit Commission, TTC, Yonge Line | 1 Comment

VIA Rail’s Flagship Train, The Canadian, Departs Toronto, March 20th 2024

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Edward Brain

I happened to be in downtown Toronto this morning when VIA Rail Canada’s flagship train, The Canadian, departed Toronto’s Union Station bound for Vancouver.

The train was led by two F40PH-2 units, #6412 and #6457. It had two deadhead cars, one skyline and Kokanee Park. There is one baggage car, one HEP-I coach, two in service skylines, five manors, one dining car (Frontenac), one Prestige sleeper (Chateau Dollard), and Laurentide Park bringing up the rear.

Here are some pictures from the departure:

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Posted in General | Tagged #6412, #6457, Budd car, Canada, Chateau Dollard, dining car, Dominion of Canada, F40, F40PH, F40PH-2, Frontenac, HEP-I, Kokanee Park, Laurentide Park, Park Car, Prestige sleeper, Skyline, The Canadian, Toronto Ontario, Train #1, Union Station, VIA Rail, VIA Rail Canada | Leave a comment

Roy McMurtry Passes Away at 91

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Edward Brain

Former Ontario Attorney General of Ontario and Chief Justices of Ontario Roy McMurtry has passed away at the age of 91. He also served as High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom.

Roy McMurtry (copyright: Joshuapaquin via Wikipedia)

He was born in Toronto on May 31st, 1932 to Roy McMurtry Sr. In 1954, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and in 1958 a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Mr. McMurtry would practise law for a number of years before being elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1975 for the riding of Eglinton (he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in 1973.)

In 1971, Bill Davis defeated Allan Lawrence to become the Leader of the Progressive Conservatives of Ontario and Premier of Ontario in a hotly contested elected (Davis won by 44 votes.) It was Mr. McMurtry who helped to bring the two sides back together for the good of the party and launch the ‘Big Blue Machine‘ that helped to keep the party in power until 1987.

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Posted in General | Tagged 91, Attorney General, Attorney General of Ontario, Big Blue Machine, Bill Davis, Canada, Chancellor, Chief Justice, Chief Justices of Ontario, Death, Dominion of Canada, Eric Hoskins, Frank Miller, High Commissioner of Canada, Jigh Commissioner, Officer of the Order of Canada, Ontario, Order of Canada, Order of Ontario, Premier of Ontario, Progressive Conservatives, Province of Ontario, Red Tory, Roy McMurtry, Solicitor General, Stephen Harper, York University | 1 Comment

Happy 80th Birthday, Cito Gaston

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Edward Brain

Today – March 17th, 2024 – marks the 80th Birthday of former Toronto Blue Jays manager, Cito Gaston.

Cito Gaston became the Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays on May 15th, 1989. The team was 12-24 at the time. Undwe Cito, the team went 77-49 for a record of 89–73 and the team’s second AL East title. He would turn the team into the ‘Beasts from the East’ as they would go on to win the AL East Titles again in 1991, 1992, and 1993 and led them to the AL Pennants and World Series wins in 1992 and 1993.

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Posted in Toronto Blue Jays | Tagged Cito Gaston, Happy Birthday, Toronto Blue Jays | 1 Comment

Happy Commonwealth Day, 2024

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Edward Brain

Today (March 11th, 2024) is Commonwealth Day in the countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Commonwealth Day, celebrated on the second Monday of March throughout the Commonwealth, as its name suggests celebrates the Commonwealth.

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Commonwealth. This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of independence for Grenada, a member of the Commonwealth.

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Posted in General | Tagged 2024, Commonwealth, Commonwealth Day, Commonwealth Nations | Leave a comment

Happy 190th Birthday, City of Toronto

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Edward Brain

Today, March 6th 2024, marks the 190th Birthday of the City of Toronto.

On this day in 1834, the Town of York (which was established 230 years ago on August 27, 1793) was incorporated as the City of Toronto.

The City of Toronto would become part of ‘Metropolitan Toronto‘ (‘Metro Toronto’ or ‘Metro’ for short) in 1953, before the current City of Toronto came into existence on January 1st, 1998 with the amalgamation of Metro Toronto, the City of Toronto, and five other cities/boroughs (Etobicoke, East York, North York, Scarborough, and York) into the ‘new’ City of Toronto.

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Posted in General | Tagged 190th Birthday, City of Toronto, Happy Birthday, Metro Toronto, Toronto, Town of York | 1 Comment

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney Passes Away

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Edward Brain

Brian Mulroney, the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, passed away on February 29th, 2024 at the age of 84.

Mr. Mulroney served as Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993.

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Posted in Obituaries | Tagged 18th Prime Minister of Canada, Airbus affair, Apartheid, Brian Mulroney, Caroline Mulroney, Charlottetown Accord, Goods and Services Tax, GST, Meech Lake Accord, NAFTA, Prime Minister of Canada | 1 Comment

Video: Westbound GO Train at Brampton

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Edward Brain

Here is a short video I took back in January of a westbound GO train departing Brampton GO/VIA station bound for Mount Pleasant on the Kitchener GO Line

Enjoy!