About this location

The Don Branch is a five-kilometre stretch of currently unused rail that starts at the CPR Leaside Train Yard. Warning: the train yard itself is active and police patrolled with no trespassing permitted.

The railway proceeds south to the Queen Street bridge overpass, where the Don Station terminus was once located. However, there is a significant stretch of railway starting just south of the Prince Edward Viaduct where the abandoned railway begins to merge with the heavily used CN Bala subdivision line.

There is also a Bayview Avenue overpass called Half-Mile Bridge, located near Evergreen Brick Works. Some people cross the bridge. However, there are no railings to hold and large gaps between the railroad ties. It’s not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights.

For a history of the railway see the Torontoist article referenced in the External Links.

In 2007, GO Transit purchased the Don Branch and, according to a 2016 article in Transit Toronto (referenced in the External Links), the Don Branch may soon be used as part of GO Transit’s future Midtown Line.

There are many ways to access this railway.

Albums 16

dissatisfaction 2 years ago

November 2023

Wouldn't go here after rainfall as the wood can get very slippery

6 photos 725 views View album

Ducko 2 years ago

Frosted Golden Hour

These photos were taken a while ago, Febuary 2022 to be exact, with some photos from this summer thrown in there as well. Me and some friends had decided to take a hike up the Don Branch with a foot o...

12 photos 774 views View album

begottenconch 2 years ago

Broken Board Road

plants and weeds are overgrowing around the tracks, the wood planks underneath are rotting, the rusted multi-decade old rails are a trainwreck (pun intended), and there’s a ton of squatters and homele...