Railway Museum eyes spring roof work after nearly 19,000 visitors in 2025

SMITHS FALLS — The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO) is heading into 2026 with record attendance, strengthened infrastructure and a roof that now sits at the top of its capital list.

Executive director Becky Allen asked council on Dec. 8 to carry forward unspent 2025 dollars and approve another $50,000 next year to complete the $122,000 project.

“We can hold on to the remainder of the funds that we did not spend of the $50,000 and we would like to carry those forward, as well as we are asking for again $50,000 investment for 2026,” Allen said.

Construction on the roof is scheduled for spring. “We do want to move forward with it in the spring right away so that it is complete by the time we really open our doors in the summer,” she said.

A steel roof was costed but came in “around 400,000,” Allen confirmed, putting it out of reach for the current cycle but remaining on the museum’s long-term wish list.

Capital improvements and access upgrades

The museum’s 2025 presentation detailed a focus on safety and accessibility, including:

• 10 code-compliant staircases constructed to provide secure railcar access;
• Repaired wooden platforms and decking
• Improved entry points for seniors, school groups and overnight guests; and 
• Closure of outstanding building permit requirements related to access.

Allen reported that the work has “created safe and easy access for our school groups and seniors’ groups” and elevated the professionalism of the visitor experience.

Growth across events and tourism

The museum recorded more than 18,900 guests this year, up from more than 15,000 last year. In the same period, 1,400 volunteer hours were logged, and 18 event days returned, including seven large, high-turnout programs such as North Pole Express, Hogwarts Express and Trainfest.

Airbnb usage continued its steady climb with 614 overnight guests staying on site. Bookings came largely from Toronto and Ottawa, but international visitors arrived from the United Kingdom, Australia, Korea, Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Brazil, Mexico and China.

RMEO STEAM car draws families

A new STEAM Children’s Exhibit was added this year and has quickly become one of the busiest points on the grounds. Built inside a refurbished car, the hands-on space allows younger visitors to manipulate activities, explore rail history and move independently through the exhibit.

Coun. Dawn Quinn pointed to its success directly. “It is not just for the bigger children. It is for all children,” she said, noting her great-great granddaughter’s enthusiasm for the display.

Council response

Coun. Peter McKenna asked Allen to confirm whether unused funds can carry forward. Allen said the clause exists in the memorandum of understanding and will be applied entirely to the roof.

Coun. Jennifer Miller used the moment to highlight the museum’s capital campaign now that charitable status has been restored. “People can make a direct donation and now they can get a tax receipt,” she said.

Quinn emphasized community buy-in. “There are people out there in our community that are just waiting for this spring to come so they can be there so they can fundraise for us,” she said.

Mayor Shawn Pankow said the steady rise in attendance, programming and volunteer support reflects what the town expected when it committed to annual funding. He supported the carryover request and said the roof project represents preservation, not crisis.

“We recognize the value with having this done and preserving this asset for generations to come,” Pankow said.

Smiths Falls council received the update for information and supported the request to carry forward unused funding. The 2026 funding request returns during budget deliberations.

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