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Toronto’s railway history preserved in new grocery store

What is now a Longo’s grocery store at the new Leaside Village shopping complex used to be a key part of Toronto’s railway history and early development.

In 1919 the Canadian Northern Railway constructed the Eastern Lines Locomotive Shop now located at 85 Laird Drive. The Locomotive Shop was part of a large repair facility and marshaling yard for steam locomotives known as the Canadian Northern Leaside Terminal. There were 12 bays for train maintenance. The Leaside facility was no longer used after the Canadian National Railway took over Canadian Northern Railway in 1919 and opened facilities at the Spadina yards and shops west of Union station. The Locomotive shop was closed in 1930.

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The area north of the railway line became a centre of manufacturing in the 30’s. The locomotive shop was eventually acquired by the British company E.S.& A. Robinson which made packaging materials. The company retained the property until 1954.

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The building has changed many hands over the years and was hidden away until away until 2006, when surrounding industrial buildings were demolished revealing the large, empty, red-brick structure with massive windows which has attracted photographers and graffiti artists.

The Canadian National Railway Eastern Lines Locomotive Shop was included on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties in 2006 and is also designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

The Longo’s grocery chain has acquired the property and restored the exterior character of this historic building as part of a large retail complex of several stores.

This piece of Toronto’s railway history is now the home of a 48,000 square foot Longo’s grocery store set to open on August 22nd.
 

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