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GO Train, 1981

Colour photograph of a GO Transit locomotive and seven rail cars travelling down a railway track. There are two empty tracks next to the train.

Source: Marty Bernard, photographed by Roger Puta

Date: March 1981

On May 23, 1967, GO Transit began operations between Oakville and Pickering, with Toronto Union Station as a hub of operations. The Government of Ontario (GO) spent $8 million on 8 diesel locomotives, 40 coaches and 9 self-propelled cars. Another $16 million was spent upgrading tracks, signals, stations and other facilities. 

The first GO Transit train left Oakville at 5:50 am with Ontario Premier John Robarts on board to welcome passengers. Two rush-hour GO trains a day also operated as far as the CN James St. station in Hamilton to replace the two canceled CN commuter trains. Within three months, GO was carrying 15,000 passengers a day, which was a 50 percent higher ridership than projected.