Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario

Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario Housed in a Canadian Northern station, RMEO protects and promotes the history of railways in Ontario.

Railways were the key to the economic and social development of Eastern Ontario. The advent of the railway transformed Eastern Ontario from a countryside of pine and hardwood forests into bustling communities of commerce, industry, and resource exploration. Railway development peaked in the early 20th century and began a slow steady decline to this day. The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario aims t

o preserve the unique and expansive railway history of the area. The Museum is housed in the 1912 Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) Station, is a designated National Historic Site. The station features a fully-restored and operational telegraph office which is connected to Nolans flag station by telegraph and dispatcher's phone. Our waiting room features two wooden benches/lights which once graced the waiting room of the former Ottawa Union Station across from the Chateau Laurier Hotel. Situated on an 11 acre site that features, in addition to the CNoR Station, the CNoR Roadmaster's house, the Nolan's Corners Flag Station. The collection of rolling stock includes a CNoR Steam Locomotive, a first generation operational MLW-Alco S3 Diesel Electric Locomotive, an operational Brookville industrial locomotive, operational hand cars,
CPR Business Car 23, operational trackmobile that once served the Hershey plant, an 1899 Wagner CNR Dining Car, Boxcars, CASCO tank car, Passenger Coaches, a Dental Car, 6 Cabooses (spanning 100 years), and a 1935 CN Snowplow. Several pieces of rolling stock, including an RPO, coaches and cabooses are undergoing stabilization. Located in Smiths Falls, ON the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario is operated by the Smiths Falls Railway Museum Corporation.

The Railway Museum’s newest attraction is inching toward completion. On Friday, identifying lettering was added to the s...
08/29/2026

The Railway Museum’s newest attraction is inching toward completion. On Friday, identifying lettering was added to the sides of the open air observation car, along with gold colour reporting marks. The modified end of car platform and wide entry door allows for greater accessibility for visitors.

The Museum property is beginning another round of beautification with the addition of more trees and bushes. In the fall, a mini forest will be planted on ground that has already been prepared by the Rideau Environmental Action League. The overall impact will be a treat for the eye of Museum visitors.


La nouvelle attraction du Musée ferroviaire tire à sa fin. Vendredi, des inscriptions et des marques de signalisation ont été ajoutées sur les côtés du wagon d'observation à ciel ouvert. La plateforme modifiée au bout du wagon et la grande porte d'entrée facilitent l'accès aux visiteurs.

Le site du Musée entame une nouvelle phase d'embellissement avec la plantation d'arbres et d'arbustes. Cet automne, une mini-forêt sera plantée sur un terrain déjà préparé par la Ligue d'action environnementale Rideau. L'ensemble offrira un spectacle magnifique aux visiteurs du Musée.

The first two photos in this post appear to have been taken by a drone. They are actually the photographic handiwork of ...
08/26/2026

The first two photos in this post appear to have been taken by a drone. They are actually the photographic handiwork of Railway Museum locomotive engineer, volunteer, and Board of Directors president, Tony Humphrey. He was perched atop beautifully repainted Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive 6591. Tony was performing routine maintenance on the big engine.

The open air observation car is nearing completion. The floor has received a second coat of blue paint and the rims of the wheels have been painted white. The observation car paint scheme is reminiscent of the famed Orient Express passenger coach livery.

Big shout out to Georg who was busy with a grinder. He was preparing the rear truck of Ottawa street car 696 for reassembly. Soon there will be two more unique ways to ride and explore the property of the Railway Museum, in addition to our vintage Canadian Pacific and Canadian National cabooses.


Les deux premières photos de cet article semblent avoir été prises par un drone. Elles sont en réalité l'œuvre de Tony Humphrey, mécanicien de locomotive, bénévole et président du conseil d'administration du Musée ferroviaire. Il était perché sur la locomotive 6591 du Canadien Pacifique, magnifiquement repeinte. Tony faisait l'entretien régulier de cette imposante machine.

La voiture d'observation à ciel ouvert est presque terminée. Le plancher a reçu une deuxième couche de peinture bleue et les jantes des roues ont été peintes en blanc. La livrée de la voiture d'observation rappelle celle du célèbre Orient-Express.

Bravo à Georg, qui s'affairait avec une meuleuse. Il préparait le bogie arrière du tramway 696 d'Ottawa pour son remontage. Bientôt, deux autres façons uniques de découvrir le Musée ferroviaire viendront s'ajouter à nos wagons de queue d'époque du Canadien Pacifique et du Canadien National.

Tickets for Hallow’s Express are now LIVE on Eventbrite!Whether you’re a first-year student picking up your acceptance l...
08/21/2026

Tickets for Hallow’s Express are now LIVE on Eventbrite!

Whether you’re a first-year student picking up your acceptance letter and shopping for supplies, or an experienced sorcerer looking for a little mischief and a Butterbeer, there’s something for witches and wizards of all ages!

Dust off your wand, don your robes and get ready to board the Hallow’s Express!

Today!
08/16/2026

Today!

Summer Train Rides are Back!
Join us every Sunday in July & August for one of our favourite summer traditions!
Take a ride behind in a historic caboose, explore the museum, and enjoy a day filled with railway history.
📅 Every Sunday
🕦 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 90 William St. W., Smiths Falls
🎫 Tickets are $16 each and include admission. They are available in the Gift Shop on a first come, first served basis.
Bring the whole family and make some unforgettable summer memories!

08/15/2026
Open Air Observation Car Project in reviewProjects of this scale require a vision, planning, design and technical skill,...
08/15/2026

Open Air Observation Car Project in review

Projects of this scale require a vision, planning, design and technical skill, construction skills, and determination to see it completed. This project has relied on RMEO construction manager Gilbert Lacroix for all of these critical components.

John Weir, the original owner of the caboose that is becoming the observation car, donated the caboose and funding for its transformation. John has been a major supporter of the Railway Museum with his time and generous financial assistance.

Sandy Speers has worked alongside Gilbert to keep this project moving along. Sandy is a tireless worker. He is a skilled craftsman.

The list of helpers on the observation car project is long. It takes many volunteers to prepare and clean the job site, paint lumber, move materials, move equipment, etc.

The project is not finished yet but the end is clearly in sight. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this observation car a reality.


Bilan du projet de voiture d'observation à ciel ouvert

Les projets de cette envergure exigent une vision, une planification, une conception et des compétences techniques, des compétences en construction et une détermination sans faille pour mener à bien leur réalisation. Ce projet a bénéficié de l'expertise de Gilbert Lacroix, chef de chantier chez RMEO, pour tous ces éléments essentiels.

John Weir, le propriétaire initial du wagon de queue transformé en voiture d'observation, a fait don du wagon et du financement nécessaire à sa transformation. John a été un soutien majeur pour le Musée ferroviaire, grâce à son temps et à sa généreuse contribution financière.

Sandy Speers a travaillé aux côtés de Gilbert pour faire avancer ce projet. Sandy est un travailleur infatigable et un artisan qualifié.

La liste des personnes qui participent au projet de voiture d'observation est longue. De nombreux bénévoles sont nécessaires pour préparer et nettoyer le chantier, peindre le bois, déplacer les matériaux et l'équipement, etc.

Le projet n'est pas encore terminé, mais la fin est en vue. Merci à tous ceux qui ont contribué à faire de cette voiture d'observation une réalité.

Sometimes, at the Railway Museum, things happen so fast and in so many different places that it’s hard to get good photo...
08/13/2026

Sometimes, at the Railway Museum, things happen so fast and in so many different places that it’s hard to get good photographs of all activities. Today was one of those days.

Bill vacuumed the trunk of Buck Crump’s Cadillac. This is another step in the cosmetic restoration of this unique rail-transformed automobile. Shelley and Grayson weeded the station gardens and trimmed decorative bushes. John trimmed the lawns with a riding mower while Brian used a push mower to get into difficult to reach, tight spaces. A young volunteer trimmed around structures, fences, and between the rails. Upstairs in the station office, Becky, Maura, and Gloria consulted with Tony and Gilbert about a number of projects. The section house windows received more attention from multitalented Philip. Greg and MaryAnne continued to organize and refine RMEO collections. The station staff restocked the gift shop and prepared for overnight in a caboose guests. Ice cream was sold from Station Scoops. Thanks to Nathaniel, volunteers and staff were treated to a healthy lunch.

The 696 streetcar team of Rhéaume and Georg continued their marathon project to bring the Bank Street car back to active service on Railway Museum lines. The industrial scale drill press will be used to manufacture and modify parts for 696. Rhéaume is pictured using the press on a secondary project to make a base for one of two recently acquired mannequins.

The open air observation car siding was painted the colour of the famous Orient Express. Touch ups will be needed on one end of the car and the stair treads, recently manufactured and painted on site, will get a healthy coating of gloss black. The interior of the car has been masked so finishing painting work can continue.

In one of the containers used to bring streetcar parts, tools, and artifacts to RMEO from Ottawa was a huge lathe. The lathe was no longer operable due to the many missing parts. It was removed from the container then taken for metal recycling by GIM in Smiths Falls. With the lathe out of the way, several treasures are now accessible and will be available for display, including a spectacular blue baggage wagon.

If you haven’t been to the Railway Museum in a while it’s time for a visit. There is so much new to see and do. Remember, Sunday train rides are available to enhance your experience. See you here. All aboard!


Parfois, au Musée du chemin de fer, les activités s'enchaînent si vite et dans tellement d'endroits différents qu'il est difficile de prendre de bonnes photos de tout. Aujourd'hui était l'un de ces jours-là.

Bill a passé l'aspirateur dans le coffre de la Cadillac de Buck Crump. C'est une étape de plus dans la restauration esthétique de cette automobile unique, transformée pour le chemin de fer. Shelley et Grayson ont désherbé les jardins de la gare et taillé les arbustes d'ornement. John a tondu les pelouses avec une tondeuse autoportée tandis que Brian utilisait une tondeuse à gazon pour accéder aux espaces étroits et difficiles d'accès. Un jeune bénévole a taillé la végétation autour des édifices et entre les rails. À l'étage de la gare, Becky, Maura et Gloria ont consulté Tony et Gilbert au sujet de plusieurs projets. Les fenêtres de l'édifice de la cour de triage ont bénéficié de l'attention particulière de Philip, un homme aux multiples talents. Greg et MaryAnne ont continué à organiser et à peaufiner les collections du RMEO. Le personnel de la gare a réapprovisionné la boutique de souvenirs et s'est préparé à accueillir des visiteurs pour la nuit dans un wagon de queue. De la crème glacée était vendue par Station Scoops. Grâce à Nathaniel, les bénévoles ont pu profiter d'un dîner équilibré.

L'équipe de Rhéaume et Georg, responsable du tramway 696, a poursuivi son projet marathon de remise en service du train de Bank Street sur les lignes du Musée ferroviaire. La perceuse à colonne industrielle servira à fabriquer et à modifier des pièces pour le 696. Sur la photo, Rhéaume utilise la presse pour un projet secondaire : la fabrication d'un socle pour l'un des deux mannequins nouvellement acquis.

La voie de garage de la voiture panoramique ouverte a été peinte aux couleurs du célèbre Orient-Express. Des retouches seront nécessaires à une extrémité de la voiture, et les marches d'escalier, récemment fabriquées et peintes sur place, recevront une couche de noir brillant. L'intérieur de la voiture a été masqué afin de permettre la poursuite des travaux de peinture.

Dans l'un des contenants ayant servi à transporter les pièces, outils et objets liés au tramway au Musée ferroviaire de l'Est du Canada (RMEO), se trouvait un énorme tour. Ce dernier était hors d'usage en raison des nombreuses pièces manquantes. Il a été retiré du contenant puis envoyé au recyclage des métaux par GIM à Smiths Falls. Grâce à ce tour retiré, plusieurs trésors sont maintenant accessibles et pourront être exposés, dont un spectaculaire wagon à bagages bleu.

Si vous n'avez pas visité le Musée du chemin de fer depuis un certain temps, c'est le moment idéal ! Il y a tellement de nouveautés à découvrir et à faire. N'oubliez pas que des promenades en train sont offertes le dimanche pour agrémenter votre visite. À plus t**d ! Tous à bord !

Back by popular demand: the RMEO is restocked with some of your favourite squishable finds! The gift shop has you covere...
08/09/2026

Back by popular demand: the RMEO is restocked with some of your favourite squishable finds!

The gift shop has you covered whether you’re looking for stylish baby dolls, adorable axolotls, fluffy capybaras, mixable slime and more!

Check out your one stop shop for all things squishy, slimy, and soft!

Did you know? We also carry dairy-free ice cream at Station Scoops!Right now, our dairy-free flavours are:Salted Caramel...
08/07/2026

Did you know? We also carry dairy-free ice cream at Station Scoops!

Right now, our dairy-free flavours are:
Salted Caramel Coffee
Peanut Butter Brownie

Looking to try something different? We’ve got a delicious option waiting for you!
Stop by for a scoop!

90 William St West, Smiths Falls
Open Daily 12-5!

08/06/2026

Summer Sunday Train Rides will continue through August!

From 11am until 2pm every Sunday, you can get tickets to board a vintage caboose and explore our property in style!

Be sure to play some yard games, enjoy an ice cream cone and browse our revamped gift shop while you're here.

Address

90 William Street West, PO Box 962
Smiths Falls, ON
K7A5A5

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

613 283 5696

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