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.

Volunteers and staff at the Railway Museum have been busy over the last three weeks. Projects have included printing and...
06/11/2026

Volunteers and staff at the Railway Museum have been busy over the last three weeks. Projects have included printing and installing interpretative signage in the station, adding new displays, painting parking lines and accessible parking spots on the freshly paved parking lot, building the open air observation coach from the frame up, upgrading gardens, grass cutting and trimming, washing station windows, completing painting on CPR locomotive 6591, preparing for the Father’s Day events, touring school groups and visitors, welcoming guests for the Overnight in a Caboose stay, and more.

Volunteers with Ottawa streetcar 696 installed windows on 696, sorted through containers of 696 parts, and began to reassemble the rear truck (wheel set).

Update: the 100 tie replacement project reached its goal plus three. Well done team!

There is lots to do at the Railway Museum. Come and see us and learn more about Canadian and Eastern Ontario railway history.


Ces trois dernières semaines, les bénévoles et le personnel du Musée ferroviaire ont été très occupés. Parmi les projets réalisés : impression et installation de panneaux d’interprétation dans la gare, ajout de nouvelles expositions, marquage des lignes de stationnement et des places de stationnement accessibles sur le parking fraîchement asphalté, construction de la voiture d’observation à ciel ouvert, aménagement des jardins, tonte et entretien du gazon, nettoyage des vitres de la gare, finition de la peinture de la locomotive CP 6591, préparation des activités de la fête des Pères, visites guidées pour les groupes scolaires et les visiteurs, accueil des participants à l’activité « Une nuit dans un wagon de queue », et bien plus encore.

Les bénévoles du tramway d’Ottawa 696 ont installé les vitres, trié les pièces détachées et commencé le remontage du bogie arrière.

Mise à jour : le projet de remplacement des 100 traverses a atteint son objectif, et même plus ! Bravo à toute l’équipe !

Il y a beaucoup à faire au Musée ferroviaire. Venez nous rendre visite et découvrez l’histoire des chemins de fer canadiens et de l’Est de l’Ontario.

FATHER'S DAY STRONGMAN EVENT AT RMEO!This Father's Day, witness an incredible feat of strength while helping preserve a ...
06/10/2026

FATHER'S DAY STRONGMAN EVENT AT RMEO!

This Father's Day, witness an incredible feat of strength while helping preserve a piece of Canadian history.

Join us as Canadian Grandmasters Strongman Tim Norris attempts to pull a 60,000+ lb CN caboose in support of the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario's Roof Fund!

📅 Sunday, June 21, 2026
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Pull will be at approximately 2:30)
📍 Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario
90 William St. W., Smiths Falls

Your support will help fund critical roof repairs and protect this important piece of Canada's railway heritage for future generations.

Enjoy a full day of family fun:
🚂 Train rides
🪖 WWII military vehicle display
🚗 Vintage cars
🛍 Vendors
🎯 Yard games
🔨 Silent auction
💪 The Strongman Caboose Pull!

Bring Dad, bring the family, and cheer Tim on as he takes on this incredible challenge!

Tickets available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fathers-day-train-rides-at-rmeo-tickets-1989330291453?aff=oddtdtcreator

Celebrate Father’s Day at RMEO! Sunday June 21 from 11am-4pmBring Dad for a fun-filled day the whole family will enjoy...
06/04/2026

Celebrate Father’s Day at RMEO! Sunday June 21 from 11am-4pm

Bring Dad for a fun-filled day the whole family will enjoy:

• Cheer on Tim Norris, Canadian Grandmasters Strongman, as he attempts to pull a record 60,000+ lb. CN caboose to support the RMEO Roof Fund!
• Train rides
• Historical WWII military vehicle display by the Swords & Ploughshares Museum
• Bid on great items in our Silent Auction
• Wagon rides behind an antique Massey Ferguson tractor
• Vintage car display
• Tour the museum exhibits and see our newest project: Ottawa Historic Street Car 696
• Enjoy a Hot Dog or try a delicious Funnel Cake
• Yard Games and more!

90 William Street West, Smiths Falls

Tickets available on Eventbrite here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fathers-day-train-rides-at-rmeo-tickets-1989330291453?aff=oddtdtcreator

Ottawa Street Car Photo Credit: Chris Uhlig

🚋✨ Ottawa’s historic Streetcar 696 has officially arrived at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario!After more than 20 ye...
05/28/2026

🚋✨ Ottawa’s historic Streetcar 696 has officially arrived at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario!

After more than 20 years of restoration work by an incredible team of volunteers, this 109-year-old streetcar has found its new permanent home in Smiths Falls. Their dedication and craftsmanship have helped preserve an important piece of Ottawa’s transportation history for future generations.

Originally built in Ottawa, Streetcar 696 represents the era when electric streetcars connected communities and shaped daily life across the capital.

Restoration work will continue at the museum alongside many of the original volunteers, with the long-term goal of eventually offering rides to visitors.

We are honoured to help preserve and share this remarkable piece of history with the public. Come visit Streetcar 696 now on display at the museum!

Photos: Chris Uhlig



🚋✨ Le tramway historique no 696 d’Ottawa est officiellement arrivé au Musée ferroviaire de l’Est de l’Ontario!

Après plus de 20 ans de restauration par une incroyable équipe de bénévoles, ce tramway vieux de 109 ans a trouvé sa nouvelle demeure permanente à Smiths Falls. Leur passion et leur savoir-faire ont permis de préserver une importante pièce de l’histoire du transport en commun d’Ottawa pour les générations futures.

Construit à Ottawa, le tramway 696 représente l’époque où les tramways électriques reliaient les communautés et faisaient partie du quotidien de la capitale.

Les travaux de restauration se poursuivront au musée avec plusieurs des bénévoles d’origine, avec l’objectif éventuel d’offrir des promenades aux visiteurs.

Nous sommes fiers de préserver et de partager cette remarquable pièce d’histoire avec le public. Venez découvrir le tramway 696 maintenant exposé au musée!

Photos: Chris Uhlig

The caboose conversion project is back running at full steam. In May 2025 volunteers dismantled an old CPRail caboose th...
05/27/2026

The caboose conversion project is back running at full steam. In May 2025 volunteers dismantled an old CPRail caboose that had sustained damage from a collision and a heating oil leak. The stripped down ends and centre beam had a new life planned. The bare bones skeleton morphed into an open-air, observation car that is suitable for train rides

Recently, the former caboose wheels and frame was painted gloss black. A new passenger car deck was framed and supporting anchor boards were installed. There is still plenty to do. Posts, railings, and open-air decking are on the list.

Photos Tom from Wright Way Welding is modifying the vestibule by making it much wider with an accessibilty feature. RMEO volunteers Gilbert, Tony, and Sandy are busy bolting down the new floor system to the railcar's bolsters and centre beam. There will be more updates as the project moves along.


Le projet de transformation du wagon de queue est de nouveau en marche. En mai 2025, des bénévoles ont démonté un ancien wagon de queue CPRail endommagé par une collision et une fuite de fioul. Les extrémités et la poutre centrale, une fois dépouillées, ont été reconverties. La structure dépouillée se transformera en un wagon panoramique ouvert, idéal pour les promenades en train.

Récemment, les roues et le châssis de l'ancien wagon ont été peints en noir brillant. La structure du nouveau plancher du wagon voyageurs a été montée et des supports d'ancrage ont été installés. Il reste encore beaucoup à faire : poteaux, rambardes et plancher extérieur sont au programme.

D'autres informations seront communiquées au fur et à mesure de l'avancement du projet.

Photos Tom, de Wright Way Welding, modifie le vestibule en l'élargissant considérablement et en y intégrant un dispositif d'accessibilité. Les bénévoles de la RMEO, Gilbert, Tony et Sandy, s'affairent à fixer le nouveau plancher aux traverses et à la poutre centrale du wagon. feature.

We’re thrilled to announce that, thanks to funding through the Government of Ontario's EASE Grant, the Railway Museum of...
05/26/2026

We’re thrilled to announce that, thanks to funding through the Government of Ontario's EASE Grant, the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario has paved our parking lot and added accessible parking spaces.

This important project transformed one of the first barriers visitors with mobility challenges encountered when arriving at the museum, our gravel parking lot, into a safer, smoother, barrier-free entrance that supports greater independence and accessibility for all.

This priority was identified through our Accessibility Audit completed in partnership with the Town of Smiths Falls Accessibility Advisory Committee and became a key action in our Accessibility Strategic Plan. We’re incredibly proud to check this important project off the list and take another meaningful step toward making the museum more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

The EASE Grant supports projects that improve accessibility and help older adults and people with disabilities live more active, healthy, safe, and socially connected lives—and we’re honoured to be part of that mission.

Thanks to Chris Uhlig for the photos of our RMEO team!

Celebrate Father’s Day at the RMEO June 21st, where horsepower meets history! Explore vintage WWII-era vehicles from the...
05/21/2026

Celebrate Father’s Day at the RMEO June 21st, where horsepower meets history!

Explore vintage WWII-era vehicles from the Swords and Ploughshares Museum, check out classic cars, enjoy lawn games and hot dogs, and witness an incredible strongman challenge as a local competitor attempts to pull a real train car!

Tickets available on Eventbrite!

In the fall of 2025, Charls Gendron, with assistance from Sandy and Gilbert, took on the huge project of repairing the b...
05/18/2026

In the fall of 2025, Charls Gendron, with assistance from Sandy and Gilbert, took on the huge project of repairing the body and repainting Canadian Pacific locomotive 6591. With the return of warm weather, painting has resumed under Charls’s skillful hand. Today the last of the burgundy paint was applied. Yellow and black details are next in line.

The Railway Museum relies on volunteers for a variety of projects. There is probably a project that interests you from tour leading to gardening to painting and to construction. Please contact the Railway Museum. Welcome aboard!


À l'automne 2025, Charls Gendron, avec l'aide de Sandy et Gilbert, s'est attelé à l'immense projet de réparation et de remise en peinture de la locomotive 6591 du Canadien Pacifique. Avec le retour du beau temps, les travaux de peinture ont repris sous la main experte de Charls. Aujourd'hui, la dernière couche de peinture bourgogne a été appliquée. Les détails jaunes et noirs seront les prochains sur la liste.

Le Musée ferroviaire compte sur des bénévoles pour divers projets. Que vous souhaitiez guider les visiteurs, jardiner, peindre ou construire, il y en a sûrement un qui vous intéresse. N'hésitez pas à contacter le Musée ferroviaire. Bienvenue à bord !

The Railway Museum will be open for visitors all this week. Paving begins on Tuesday. The parking lot will be closed for...
05/18/2026

The Railway Museum will be open for visitors all this week. Paving begins on Tuesday. The parking lot will be closed for a few days. We have an alternative parking place for guests. If you drive by the William Street gate and you see work in progress or the gates are closed, you are encouraged to park at the end of Church St. opposite the J. Quattrocchi Company (now HK Food Services) building, and enter by the pedestrian gate on Church Street. Once you are on the museum grounds, please proceed to the station to purchase your admission tickets.


De grands changements sont à venir au Musée ferroviaire de l'Est de l'Ontario ! Dans le cadre de notre engagement continu à améliorer l'accessibilité pour tous nos visiteurs, nous faisons asphalter notre stationnement.

Le Musée ferroviaire sera ouvert aux visiteurs toute la semaine. Les travaux d'asphaltage débuteront mardi. Le stationnement sera fermé pendant quelques jours. Un autre stationnement est prévu pour les visiteurs. Si vous passez devant l'entrée de la rue William et que vous constatez des travaux en cours ou que les portes sont fermées, nous vous encourageons à vous garer au bout de la rue Church, en face de l'édifice de la J. Quattrocchi Company (maintenant HK Food Services), et à entrer par le portillon piétonnier de la rue Church. Une fois sur le site du musée, veuillez vous rendre à la gare pour acheter vos billets d'entrée.

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

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario:

Shortcuts

Share

Category