Scenic train rides and railway museums in Ontario

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

Waterloo Central Railway

Take a scenic heritage tour through Mennonite farm country in Woolwich Township and Waterloo Region.

The Waterloo Junction Railway was built in the 1800s. Today, a small fleet of historic steam and diesel-electric locomotives operates along this historic rail line, offering passenger train rides between Waterloo, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, the Village of St. Jacobs and the town of Elmira.

During the holiday season, three uniquely themed Christmas train rides are available.

Location: 50 Isabella Street, St. Jacobs

Greater Toronto Area

Toronto Railway Museum

Learn about Toronto’s railway heritage at this downtown indoor and outdoor museum near the CN Tower.

The train simulator allows you to get behind the controls of a locomotive. Kids will love riding the miniature train that chugs around the circular railroad track.

Location: 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto

Niagara Region

Fort Erie Railway Museum

Fort Erie was once home to the third-largest rail yard in Canada. This museum pays tribute to its history with indoor and outdoor exhibits.

View a 6218 Canadian National Railway Steam Engine, the original Grand Trunk Railway Station and interesting tools and telegraphic equipment. An old CN B-1 Station, once used to monitor traffic over the International Railway Bridge, is now the museum’s office and gift shop.

Fort Erie Railway Museum is open seasonally.

Location: 400 Central Avenue, Fort Erie

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Halton County Radial Railway Museum

The Halton County Radial Railway (HCRR) is Ontario’s first and largest electric railway museum. A full-size operating electric streetcar runs on two kilometres of tracks passing through the scenic forests of Halton County.

Learn more about the history of electric railways in Ontario and Canada, and tour the various vintage streetcars, radial cars and work cars rescued from the scrapyard by the HCRR. A collection of photographs, memorabilia and archival materials is also on display.

The HCRR Museum is open seasonally. 

Location: 13629 Guelph Line, Campbellville

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology

Also known as the “Steam Museum,” the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology features a collection of artifacts relating to the city’s industrial past and examines Hamilton’s relationship with water, steam power and industrialization.

Guided tours, public programs and special educational events are held throughout the year.

Location: 900 Woodward Avenue, Hamilton

York, Durham and Headwaters

South Simcoe Railway

Climb aboard a restored 1920s rail coach in Tottenham and ride the rails along a century-old line that once connected Hamilton with Barrie and Collingwood.

Today, the train travels through Beeton Creek Valley and lasts about an hour roundtrip. The conductor provides informative commentary along the way.

Location: Mill Street West, Tottenham

Southwestern Ontario

Port Stanley Terminal Rail

Port Stanley Terminal Rail is Elgin County’s longest-running tourist attraction.

Operating for over 40 years, this heritage, diesel-powered locomotive travels seven kilometres along the former London to Port Stanley track through the scenic Kettle Creek Valley between Port Stanley and St. Thomas.  

Watch for special event rides held throughout the year, including the Easter Bunny, Pumpkin Patch and Santa Treats trains for families. Music on the Rails and Murder Mystery rail excursions will appeal to adult train enthusiasts.

Location: 309 Bridge Street, Port Stanley

Elgin County Railway Museum

Explore the history of St. Thomas and its railways at the Elgin County Railway Museum.

Known as the “Railway Capital of Canada,” St. Thomas is famous for being an important railway junction. At one time, over 100 trains chugged through the city every day. Exhibits include the History of Motion model train display, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the city’s historic rail yards and the Rolling Stock Gallery.

The Elgin County Railway Museum is open seasonally. 

Location: 225 Wellington Street, St. Thomas

Komoka Railway Museum

The Komoka Railway Museum preserves the legacy of what was once a busy railway station just outside of London.

Rail-themed programs are geared toward young steam locomotive enthusiasts. And kids will enjoy the miniature steam train rides throughout the summer.

Location: 131 Queen Street, Komoka

Southeastern Ontario

Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario

The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario is located inside a National Historic Site station building constructed in 1912 in Lanark County. It showcases valuable artifacts and demonstrates how these heritage machines were used.

A guided tour is included with admission. Check for seasonal-themed train rides, including an afternoon tea tour, the Hallow’s Express for Halloween or the North Pole Express during the holiday season.

For passionate train buffs, three heritage cabooses have been converted to provide a unique overnight accommodation experience.

Location: 90 William Street West, Smiths Falls

Engine 1905

A popular tourist attraction in Kingston’s Confederation Park, Engine 1905 is a reminder of the city’s industrial past and home of the Canadian Locomotive Company.

More than 3,000 steam, electric and diesel engines, including Engine 1905, were built by the company for the Canadian Pacific Railway. After Engine 1905’s retirement in 1960, Kingston acquired and restored it to preserve a significant part of Kingston’s—and Canada’s—rail history.

Location: Confederation Park, Kingston

Brockville Railway Tunnel

Experience history in motion in Canada’s first railway tunnel.

This restored historical gem in Brockville’s Armagh Sifton Price Park is free to walk through and features a stunning light and sound show.

Location: 1 Block House Island Road, Brockville

Algonquin, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Portage Flyer Train at Muskoka Heritage Place

Travel back to 1904 aboard the Portage Flyer Train between South Portage and Lake of Bays. Chug alongside the Muskoka River in a turn-of-the-century, open-sided steam engine coach riding an authentic, narrow gauge railway—once the world’s shortest commercial rail line.

At Fairy Lake Station, visit the Steam Train Museum, which opens when the train operates. The building is modelled after a typical 1920s Ontario train station and depicts how trains and steam travel opened the area to settlement, tourism and business development.

Location: 100 Forbes Hill Drive, Huntsville

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma

Agawa Canyon Tour Train

Journey deep into the Canadian Shield on a scenic 182-kilometre rail tour that offers views of pristine northern lakes, granite rock formations, dense forest and native wildlife.

One of the best train tours in North America, this one-day adventure lasts 10 hours. The audio guide will identify points of interest and recount the region’s rich history with stories of the Ojibwe, fur traders, explorers, entrepreneurs and the famed Group of Seven painters.

The train tour includes stopping points for hiking and visits to lookouts and stunning waterfalls, including the Agawa Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls and Black Beaver Falls.

Boxed lunches and coffee are available for pickup with your admission.

Location: 99 Huron Street, Sault Ste. Marie

Northeastern Ontario

Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre

Located a half-hour drive north of Sudbury, the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre is housed in an early twentieth-century Victorian house.

Its vast collection of antique tools and equipment from the early days of railroading is dedicated to showing how the railroading industry, along with the lumber and mining industries, helped boost Northern Ontario’s economy. Both private and self-guided tours are available.

Location: 26 Bloor Street, Capreol

North Bay Museum

A former Canadian Pacific Railway heritage train station was restored and converted into the North Bay Museum to continue telling the story of its role in Canada’s railway history.

The museum offers comprehensive programming and hands-on, interactive exhibits.

Location: 100 Ferguson Street, North Bay

Northwest Ontario

Lake of the Woods Railroaders Museum

Discover the railroading history of Kenora at the Lake of the Woods Railroaders Museum.

A large collection of preserved railway items and memorabilia allows visitors to learn about its fascinating history. The most popular exhibit is a large model railroad setup that features running trains across scenes from all over Canada.

The museum is open seasonally.

Location: Off of Highway 17, Kenora