Ontario Train Related Museums, Activities, etc

Locations Count: 25 so far.
Last Update: Thursday January 19, 2012.
  Recent Changes (newest first):  
  York Durham Heritage Railway  
  St. Thomas Station and Elgin County Railway Museum  
  Credit Valley Explorer,  
  South Simcoe Railway,  
  Niagara Railway Museum,  
  Guelph Junction Express,  
  Chatham Railway Museum.  

Index
  Top | Museums | Tours | Tourist Railways | Miniature Railways | Lodging | Information | 2010 Shows | 2011 Shows | Bottom  
Using This Information
  USE THIS INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK!
  Information may be wrong or out of date.
  Check before travelling!
  Recent changes are in red text and/or with a pink background.
  Older changes are in purple.
  Uncertainties are in orange text 
  Please do not email here asking for more information.   If I know, it's already here.  
  Most listings include information sources or contacts.   Check those for the details.  
  See also 2011 Ontario Train Shows, Open Houses and Meets.  
Supporting This Information
  Please correct any errors or omissions by email to ianmc@eol.ca.


Museums
 
Place Name Details
Chatham Chatham Railway Museum 2 McLean Street
(in the Queen - William - McLean Streets triangle, just north of the VIA Rail Station)
  • Dedicated to railway history and local history.
  • Interactive displays, a railway model, pictures, reference books, and railway artifacts.
  • Kids' activity corner with a hands-on railway set, books, puzzles, and more toys.
  • Located in a retired CNR baggage car.
    Hours: 9-4:30 Tuesday through Friday, and 10-3 on Saturdays.
    Usually from May or mid-June to about the last Saturday in August (August 27 in 2011).
    Fare: Free but donations are accepted.
    Info: 519-352-3097
    or www.facebook.com/pages/Chatham-Railroad-Museum-CRMS/195849387130379
    Map: gisweb.chatham-kent.ca/onpoint/servlet/onpoint?DEFAULTSKIN=advanced&LINK=true&PROJECT=general&MAPTAB=General&ENVELOPE=true&MINX=402817.427693878&MAXX=403088.838306122&MINY=4694571.247&MAXY=4694712.727
    or wikimapia.org/10726496/Chatham-Railway-Museum
    If using Google Maps, search for "2 St. Patrick Street" until they add McLean Street to their maps.
    • St. Thomas Elgin County Railway Museum See St. Thomas Station and Elgin County Railway Museum below.
    Hamilton Hamilton Museum of
    Steam and Technology     		900 Woodward Avenue
    Check www.ghls.ca for dates, May to October, open 11-4
    See Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers below.
    Fare: Free on GHLS days.
    Info: www.ghls.ca
    or 905-546-4797
    or Russ Milland trainz@cogeco.ca 289-362-0575
    Komoka Komoka Museum 133 Queen Street
    June, July and August: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 9-4
    September to May: Saturday 9-12
    Fare: Paid admission
    Volunteer meetings: 3rd Thursday of each month 7:30 pm.
    Info: Komoka Rail Museum www.komokarailmuseum.ca
    or station-master@komokarailmuseum.ca
    or 133 Queen Street, PO Box 22, Komoka, Ontario N0L 1R0 519-657-1912
    Fort Erie Niagara Railway Museum Located in the former Canadian National Railway diesel shop, 21 Warren Street, Fort Erie.
    Not currently open to the public, except specific open house dates (see www.eol.ca/~ianmc/shows).
    Displays and promotes the railway heritage of Niagara at various events, including their 2 annual Niagara Falls Model Railway Shows held on the first Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October, and the Niagara Falls Canada Day celebration.
    Formerly the Niagara Falls Railway Museum.
    Info: www.nfrm.ca
    or Niagara Railway Museum info@nmrm.ca
    or NRM, 6251 Burdette Drive, Niagara Falls ON L2E 5H4 905-357-6539
    Capreol "The NORM"

    Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre

    Home of the 6077     		26 Bloor Street, Capreol P0M 1H0, 705-858-5050
    The NORM is:
  • A tribute to pioneers who worked the rails and settlers who opened the Sudbury region.
  • A record of the railroad's impact on early settlements.
  • A nostalgic look at Northern Ontario heritage.
  • Heritage accounts pf the area mines, lumber companies and railroads.
  • A source of genealogical records and information.
  • A growing resource for reference materials.
    • Step back in time and:
  • Climb into the cab of a steam locomotive and imagine speeding down the track.
  • Imagine life in a box car house or going to school on wheels on a remote siding.
  • Enter a wooden caboose to see the work and living quarters of a conductor and brakeman.
  • Marvel at hard work done by early pioneers using rustic implements.
  • Relax and enjoy refreshments in the quaint tea room in the 1916 residence of the railway superintendent.
    • Ask about meseum membership.
    Schedule: June/July/August 10-4 every day (last tour starts at 3), September-May by appointment.
    Fare: Adults $5, Seniors $4, Students $4, Children $3, 3 and under free.
             Groups (10 or more) $4 per person.
    Info: www.NorthernOntarioRailroadMuseum.ca
    or normhc@vianet.ca
    Also Twitter and Facebook.
    Ottawa Canada Science and Technology Museum 1867 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, Ontario
    Smiths Falls Smiths Falls
    Railway Museum
    of Eastern Ontario     		See Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario below.
    Smiths Falls Railway Museum
    of Eastern Ontario     		90 William Street, PO Box 962, Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 5A5, 613-283-5696
    (Smiths Falls Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario until 2009)
  • Smiths Falls CPR station
          Waiting room with paintings, photographs and displays
          Operators Bay with working telegraph equipment
  • Nolans Flagstop Station.
  • CNR’s 1912 Steam Locomotive #1112.
  • CP’s 1957 Diesel 6591.
  • 1947 CP Cadillac Inspection Car.
  • Wickham Track Cars.
  • Dental Car used in Northern Ontario to service remote communities.
  • Cabooses, one in excellent condition.
  • Automobile Box Cars.
  • Over 10,000 artifacts (not all on display).
  • Online Albums: public.fotki.com/elliottd/sfrmeo/ .
  • Nearby: Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge (privately owned, not by the museum) over the Rideau Canal, built by the Canadian Northern Railway.
    • Info: www.rmeo.org/         (www.rmeo.org not www.rmeo.ca as previously listed)
    or rmeo_info@whereelse.ca
    Review: Toronto Railway Historical Association 7/09/2010 news http://www.trha.ca/news.html
    St. Thomas St. Thomas Station
    and
    Elgin County Railway Museum     		St. Thomas Station, 750 Talbot Street
    and Elgin County Railway Museum, 225 Wellington Street
    Info: Elgin County Railway Museum www.ecrm5700.org/ "Hours & Events"
    or Elgin County Railway Museum Facebook www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=105455959489815&v=wall
    or Elgin County Railway Museum promotions@ecrm5700.org 519-631-4873
    or museum 519-637-6284
    In future the museum may be open all year:
    www.ecrm5700.org/PDF/sandplains.pdf
    www.stthomastimesjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2728803
    www.stthomastimesjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2728714
    Toronto The Toronto Railway Historical Association

    Toronto Railway Heritage Centre     		Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Boulvard M5V 3M9
    (just southeast of the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, just east of Rees Street)
  • An exhibition of historic railway equipment.
  • Restored 1929 Canadian Pacific Railway John Street Roundhouse.
  • Operational 120-foot long turntable.
  • Restored 1896 CPR Don Station.
  • Fully restored 1896 Grand Trunk Railway Cabin D interlocking tower.
  • Visit in the engineer's cab of Canadian National Railways steam locomotive No. 6213.
  • Computer simulated cab ride in an actual diesel locomotive.
  • Historic tours of the roundhouse area.
  • Self-guided tours through Roundhouse Park.
  • Interpretive exhibitions in the buildings.
  • Toronto Railway Heritage Centre Miniature Railway.
    Info: www.trha.ca
    Schedule: www.trha.ca/about.html
    Closed in winter, but some of the outdoor exhibits can be viewed.
    See Toronto Railway Heritage Centre Miniature Railway below.


    • Tours
     
    Place Name Details
    Toronto Toronto Transit Commision

    TTC Facilities Tours     		The TTC hosts informational tours of their various vehicle maintenance centres and facilities that are not normally accessible to the general public.
    Preregistration is required:
    Send an email to: publictours@ttc.ca,
    with your name, address, date of birth, a contact phone number and the location or event that you would like see.
    You should get a reply within 24 - 48 hours.
    Space is limited, so register quickly.
    Registration Requirements: Name, date of birth, address and telephone number.
    Photo ID required at tour sign-in.
    Safety Requirements: CSA approved safety shoes, no shorts, no pets allowed, no exceptions.
  • Example: Tour 6 - Harvey Shop Tour:
        See streetcars being repaired at the Harvey Shop.
        TTC staff will guide you through the shop explaining what the various highly skilled trades such as welders, tool and die makers, blacksmiths and millwrights do. One of the only two working blacksmith shops in Canada is located here.
    * Saturday, April 16, 2011 - 10 am
    * Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 10 am
    * Saturday, December 10, 2011 - 10 am
    1138 Bathurst Street - Meet by the Security gatehouse.
    How to get there by transit: From the Bloor-Danforth line, get off at Bathurst Station and take a Bathurst 7 bus north to Hillcrest complex.
    Fare: $15 per adult, $5 per child age 12 or under (cash only at the door).
    Space is limited to 20 people.
    Duration: 1-1/2 hours.
  • Example: Greenwood Subway Yard:
    * Saturday, February 26, 2011 - 10 am
  • Example: Greenwood Subway Car House:
        See subway cars jacked up on hoists without their traction motors on. Learn the dangers of the 600 Volt Electrified third rail.
    Info: www3.ttc.ca/TTC_Business/TTC_Tours/Locations.jsp

    • Tourist Railways
     
    Place Name Details
    Orangeville and
    Credit Valley     		Credit Valley Explorer Most departures are from Orangeville station, some from Inglewood General Store.
    (Orangeville station, 49 Townline Road:
    From Highway 10, take Highway 9 (Broadway) west to the first traffic light (Town Line Road) and turn left. Follow the road around the curve and up the hill about 1 km. Turn left into the station parking lot just before the tracks.)
    (Inglewood General Store:
    Inglewood is located on McLaughlin Road, just north of Old Base Line Road. From Highway 10, turn west onto Old Base Line Road (Peel Road 12), then right on McLaughlin Road. Park in the arena parking lot on your right before crossing the railway tracks. The General Store is one block north of the arena.)
  • Southern Ontario's Most Scenic Rail Tour!
  • Dinner, brunch and scenic tours through the Forks of the Credit and the hills of headwaters.
  • Operates over the tracks of the Orangeville Brampton Railway, shared with freight trains.
  • Station is accessible?.
  • Santa trains, February snow trains.
    • Info: www.creditvalleyexplorer.com
    or www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsY1yt_HDz4
    Guelph
    Campbellville     		Destiny Tours

    Guelph Junction Express     		The last trip was August 13, 2011.
    See news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/738975
    and www.guelphtribune.ca/printarticle/226876
    Halton County Halton County Radial Railway Schedule:
  • July and August: Daily
  • May, June, September and October: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
  • Monday to Friday 11-4:30
  • weekends and holidays 11-5
  • Last ride leaves half hour before closing
    Fare: Paid admission.
    Info: www.hcry.org
    or Halton County Radial Railway, Milton   519-856-9802
    • Haliburton The Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway Society

    Muskoka Heritage Place

    Portage Flyer     		TH&LBRS operates "The Portage Flyer" at Muskoka Heritage Place.
    Muskoka Heritage Place, 88 Brunel Road, Huntsville, ON P1H 1R1
    Telephone: 705-789-7576, Fax: 705-789-6169
  • The track follows the Muskoka River from Brunel Road north to Fairy Lake then east along the shore.
  • Muskoka Heritage Place also includes 2 museums and 18 authentic pioneer buildings.
  • The railway has at least one GE 26-Tonner #3 and two 0-4-0T steam engines.
  • In 2011, the first steam day was July 1st.
    • Fare and Schedule: www.muskokaheritageplace.org/info.html
    Info: www.portageflyer.org
    or www.muskokaheritageplace.org/train.html
    or Ron Gostlin (Manager) ron.gostlin@huntsville.ca
    TH&LBRS Membership: 26 Centre Street North, Huntsville ON P1H 1X4
    Engine photo: www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=367229
    Port Elgin Port Elgin and North Shore Port Elgin waterfront
  • 2' narrow-gauge Replica of an 1836 American Steam Engine.
  • 15 minute route along one mile of track from the Port Elgin waterfront to the North Shore Park.
  • View of Lake Huron and Port Elgin Harbour.
  • At one time, the only scheduled steam train in Ontario.
    • Fare and Schedule: See
    Info: www.portelginrailroad.com/index/train.html
    Info: www.portelginrailroad.com/
    or en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Elgin_and_North_Shore_Railroad
    or http://members.fortunecity.com/stolzenfels/pens.html
    or www.ask.com/wiki/Port_Elgin_and_North_Shore_Railroad
    or wikimapia.org/15698702/North-Shore-Park
    Port Stanley Port Stanley Terminal Rail 309 Bridge Street, Port Stanley, Ontario N5L 1C5
  • Many special events - murder mysteries, Santa Train, etc.
    • Fare: Call 519-782-3730 or 1-877-244-4478
    Reservations not required.
    Info: www.pstr.on.ca
    or 519-782-3730 or 1-877-244-4478 (11 am - 4:30 pm)
    or www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izdm20hdNyQ
    Tottenham South Simcoe Railway South Simcoe Railway station in downtown Tottenham, 20 km west of Highway 400 on Highway 9, just 50 minutes north of Toronto.
  • Steam engine 136 is running again. See www.simcoe.com/news/article/1059588--historic-steam-engine-back-on-the-rails for story and two photos.
    • Schedule: See www.southsimcoerailway.ca/rides.htm
    Fare: See www.southsimcoerailway.ca/rides.htm
    Info: www.southsimcoerailway.ca/
    Uxbridge
    Stouffville
    Goodwood     		York Durham Heritage Railway Former CNR Uxbridge Station
    (about 300 meters from the downtown business district, just north of Brock Street West and west of Toronto Street where King Street, Spruce Street and Railway Street meet)
    Schedule: See www.ydhr.on.ca/Schedule.html
    Fare: See www.ydhr.on.ca/Schedule.html
    Info:
    Photo: www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=383302&nseq=16
    Waterloo
    St. Jacobs     		Waterloo Central Railway
    (Southern Ontario
    Locomotive Restoration Society)     		Waterloo Station: 10 Father David Bauer Drive
    University of Waterloo Flagstop: Ring Road, University of Waterloo
    St. Jacobs Farmers Market Station: Farmers Market
    St. Jacobs Repair Shop and Station: 50 Isabella Street
    Elmira Station: Erb Street
    Operating since June 2007.
    Schedule: See www.solrs.ca/Waterloo Spur/Waterloo Spur Stations Diag TT.htm
          3 round trip Easter Bunny Trains Saturday April 23, 2011.
    Fare: $10/$12/$15 when last checked - See waterloocentralrailway.com/category/tickets.
    Info: www.waterloocentralrailway.ca/
    and SOLRS www.solrs.org
    and www.solrs.ca/Restoration%20Shop/Shop.htm
    and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo_Central_Railway
    and www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESk2eoKLtBA
    and www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmvCTEPWTZk


    Miniature Railways
     
    Place Name Details
    Toronto Centre Island
    Centreville Amusement Park
    Centreville Train     		Centre Island
  • Miniature railway.
    Info: www.enjoyontario.ca/centreville/
    or www.centreisland.ca/rides-and-attractions.aspx#
    • Hamilton Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers

    Hamilton Museum of
    Steam and Technology

    Public Steaming Days     		900 Woodward Avenue
    Check www.ghls.ca for dates, May to October.
  • FREE rides for train fans of all ages.
  • See and ride behind real (large scale model) coal burning steam locomotives.
  • 1200 feet of elevated dual gauge 4.75"/3.5" track with transfer table and steaming bays.
  • 1400 feet of ground level 7.25" gauge with turntable, loading hoist and steaming bays.
  • Riding cars for all gauges.
  • Station house, car barn and storage shed.
  • Pedestrian bridge crossing both tracks.
  • Efficiency Trials in August.
  • Club memberships open.
    • Fare: Free
    Info: www.www.ghls.ca
    or 905-546-4797
    or Russ Milland trainz@cogeco.ca 289-362-0575
    east of
    Aurora     		Richmond Hill Live Steamers 15922 McCowan Road, Whitchurch-Stouffville
  • Ride on live steam large scale model trains.
    Info: richmond-hill-live-steamers.tripod.com/
    or Sybil Clothier clothiers@sympatico.ca 905-277-0969
    • Toronto The Toronto Railway Historical Association

    Toronto Railway Heritage Centre
    Miniature Railway     		Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Boulvard M5V 3M9
    (just southeast of the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, just east of Rees Street)
  • Half-kilometre miniature railway ride through Roundhouse Park.
  • Closed in winter.
    • Info: www.trha.ca
    See Toronto Railway Heritage Centre above.


    Lodging
     
    Place Name Details
    Blyth Blyth Station House 347 Dinsley Street East, Blyth N0M 1H0, 519-523-9826 or 416-449-6588
  • Originally a railway station for the Grand Trunk Railway, the Blyth Station House was a fully operational railway station for the CNR until 1941. In 1941 the CNR took up the rails to use the iron for the war effort.
    Info: www.bbcanada.com/blythstationhouse
    or (by former owner) blythstationhouse.tripod.com/
    • Creemore Clearview Station Bed and Breakfast Hosts Ann and Dave Huskinson
    RR#2, Creemore, ON L0M 1G0
    Directions: North from Creemore to 12/13 Sideroad
    GPS: 17TO57355 and UTM 4908916
    Info: www.creemore.caboose.ca
    or 705-466-2000


    Information
     
    Name Details
    The Model Railway Show podcast themodelrailwayshow.com
  • It's not water cooler talk ... It's water tank talk!
  • Join for a fast-paced, thought-provoking model railway podcast, hosted by Jim Martin and Trevor Marshall.
  • It's about twenty minutes of pure hobby entertainment.
  • Inspiring interviews with the folks who inform us, inspire us, and sometimes even amuse us.
    Fare: Free.

    • (C) Copyright Ian McIntosh 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. You may copy for personal use or for friends or to give for free.
    Some wording copyright by museums or other owners, used with permission.