There’s a heritage railway in Ontario that offers historic train rides through the countryside

Picture this: you’re aboard a beautiful, historic passenger train as it chugs through the rolling countryside. In St Jacobs, Ontario, this fantasy can become a reality!

The village is home to the Waterloo Central Railway, a heritage railway offering historic passenger train rides on the Waterloo Spur between Northfield Drive in Waterloo, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, the Village of St. Jacobs and the Town of Elmira.

All aboard!

Getting there

Waterloo Central Railway is one and a half hours from Toronto by car nestled in the village of St Jacobs, Ontario.

Be sure to book your tickets in advance if you’re planning a day around visiting the area.

Waterloo Central Railway

The most popular route on the historic passenger train is the Heritage Hopper, a hop-on / hop-off service travelling between Waterloo and Elmira, with stops at Waterloo Northfield, St Jacobs Farmers Market, and St. Jacobs Village. 

The farmers’ market is a must-see, as it’s the largest of its kind in Canada!

As the holidays approach the railway offers three different festive rides!

The options include Santa’s Jolly Journey where Santa will entertain guests as they enjoy festive carols and seated visual scavenger hunt.

There’s also Santa’s Candy Crossing -an enchanting nighttime journey where passengers help transport batches of “yummy Christmas candy to Santa’s Candy Crossing”.

For those 19 and older, there is Santa’s Nightcap. This train ride is for an adult crowd that will join Santa for a nightcap “as he kicks back and lets loose before another busy day tomorrow of transporting Christmas candy”.

All the train experiences can be booked online and if you’re interested we suggest booking ASAP as spots fill up quickly.

Your scenic train ride awaits in St Jacobs, Ontario!

Waterloo Central Railway

Where: 50 Isabella Street, St Jacobs, ON