Skule Gravy Train (2010)

The Train being assembled at City Hall

The Skule Gravy Train was a tasteful prank that was also a Skule organized food drive, on Dec, 5th 2010 a large train was constructed to hold food and was placed at City Hall. The Gravy Train was also a piece of political satire as Rob Ford (newly elected Mayor of Toronto) used the phrase "Stop the gravy train" in his campaign and a mannequin of Rob Ford was made holding Stop sign and was placed next to the train. However the group of students constructing the train were caught by security shortly after it was finished and the train had to be removed and rebuilt on campus.

Planning and Prep-Work

Shortly after Rob Ford was elected Mayor, the Brute Force Committee along with the Skule Community Outreach director hatched a plan to create a Gravy Train that would act as a food drive for the less fortunate. The idea came from Rob Ford's mayoral campaign to "Stop the Gravy Train", the engineering students decided to use the gravy train as a joke and place the train at City Hall, as it would increase the foot traffic around th food drive. The week leading up to the 5th the gravy train was constructed in the Sandford Fleming Atrium, the train was approx 24feet long and approx 8 feet tall. As well a very fat mannequin was made depicting Rob Ford holding a stop sign in reference to his campaign quote.

Transportation and Instillation

As the train was completel, the problem of transporting the train to City Hall arose. Instead of the original plan of simply carrying it, a few students acquired two pick-up trucks and cars and the train was transported one section at time. In under an hour the train was all at City Hall with a large group of students working on assembling it. Soon after the train was assembled, students began filling the train with the food previously donated.

Trouble Arises

As the train was being finished, a City Hall security guard interpreted the students and threatened them to leave or they would be charged with trespassing as well as charged for removal of the train. Instead of simply leaving a few students remained to try and reason with the guard, and the police were called in. The police gave the students one hour to remove the train or they would be charged. Based on this threat, the trucks were called back in and in under 45 minutes the 28 foot train was disassembled and transported back to campus. The train was rebuilt on Front Campus.

Media Coverage

As the police and security guard were talking the students at City Hall, a few other students were attempting to contact different news stations and news papers in an attempt to get the media on their side. A few students went to the Toronto Star, CP 24 and the Globe and Mail trying to bring the media to City Hall. Although no media ventured to City Hall, there were several articles written about the train.

Final Placement

In the early hours of the 6th, the train was finished on Front Campus and several hundred dollars worth of food was inside, the train stayed until the end of exams and the food was donated to a local food shelter.