The War on Rails: Canada’s Second World War

A sequel to last year's From Platform to Battlefield lecture. Ryan will explore the role of Canadian rail during the Second World War (1939-1945). More specifically, he will examine the contributions of major Canadian rail companies in moving people, munitions, and supplies, across Canada and towards the frontlines. As part he will explain the activities going in the major hubs like Toronto and Calgary.

About our speaker:

Ryan Goldsworthy, the Director of The Military Museums in Calgary, is a recognized museum leader with 15 years of experience working in museums and heritage associations across Canada. A graduate of Queen’s University (MA in History) and the University of Toronto (BA in History), Ryan is a published Canadian military historian and material culture expert. He has served on several museum boards and committees.

He was previously the Curator of the Toronto Railway Museum and the Museum Director & Curator of the Royal Canadian Military Institute(RCMI). During his work, he developed a special interest for the Canadian Railway Troops of the First World War. Goldsworthy also served as Toronto’s Manager of Collections & Research where he led the City’s first indigenous repatriation project.

In addition to his museum and academic experience, Ryan served as a Toronto firefighter and he holds various first responder and hazardous material technician credentials.

About the series:

The Toronto Railway Museum hosts guest speakers online via the Zoom Webinar platform the Second Tuesday of each month. These talks are free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $10 to support future programming. The Toronto Railway is a registered Canadian charity (838626943RR0001) and charitable tax receipts will be issued for donations over $25.