Experience Waterloo Central Railway
Northfield Drive (Coming Soon) - St. Jacobs Farmers Market - Max's Sportsworld (Coming Soon) - Village of St. Jacobs – ElmiraThe Waterloo Central Railway runs a recreational passenger train just outside of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, on a historic railway branch between the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market, the Village of St. Jacobs, and the town of Elmira.
Enjoy the journey on our regularly-scheduled Day Diesel Trains. Travel through time on our specially-scheduled Steam Locomotive Trains and Theme Trains. Shop at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, visit our Railway Museum in the Village of St. Jacobs, and travel to Elmira to take a tractor ride from the train into the downtown. Charter our Caboose or the entire train and Railway Museum for memorable private events such as birthdays and weddings!
Train Stops
3 Stops to Board and Depart with 2 new stops coming soon!
Located Next to St. Jacobs Farmers Market
330 Farmer’s Market Rd,
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 4G8
GPS: 43.512074, -80.552603
- Next to St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market.
- Across the train tracks from Value Village.
- Special experiences like the Crazy Caboose Parties and Train Engineer Experience board and depart here.
- Parking at Value Village
Purchase Tickets: This station accepts credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Visa Debit) or cash.
St. Jacobs Village
50 Isabella Street
St. Jacobs, Ontario, N0B 2N0
GPS: 43.538140, -80.556965
- Railway Museum.
- Train Restoration Shop.
- Wheelchair accessible public washrooms.
- Pre-booked Photoshoot participants with their own photographer.
- Parking
Purchase Tickets: This station accepts credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Visa Debit) or cash. Tickets are sold at Eco Cafe in St. Jacobs.
Elmira Station
155 Howard Avenue
Elmira, Ontario, N3B 2E2
GPS: 43.589369, -80.550786
- Take a wagon ride from the train to the town!
- Please wait behind the gate for the train to arrive.
- If there are no passengers trackside, the train does not wait, so please be prompt.
- The Station is approximately 1.5km to Downtown Elmira.
- Parking
Free Shuttle: Enjoy a FREE shuttle from the Station to Downtown Elmira, compliments of the Elmira BIA and Kitchen Kuttings.
Purchase Tickets: Upon boarding; accepts credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Visa Debit) or cash. Tickets are sold at Kitchen Kuttings store in Elmira.
Northfield Drive (COMING SOON)
90 Northfield Drive West
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 5A6
GPS: 43.498000, -80.543663
- Connection to the LRT.
- This is a pick up and departure stop only.
- No Parking
Purchase Tickets: Buy Tickets online. Tickets are also available for purchase aboard the train if still available.
Max's Sports World (COMING SOON)
800 King Street North
Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 4G8
GPS: 43.512896, -80.550772
- This is a pick up and departure stop only.
- No Parking
Purchase Tickets: Buy Tickets online. Tickets are also available for purchase aboard the train.
Train Ride Options
3 Kinds of Train Experiences
1. Regularly Scheduled Day Train Rides
The scheduled Day Train runs seasonally on market days between Northfield Drive (Coming Soon) – St. Jacobs Farmers Market – Max’s Sports World (Coming Soon) – Village of St. Jacobs – Elmira.
2017 Season: Thurs. May 4, 2017 – Sat. October 28, 2017
On St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market days:
Saturdays: May 6-October 28, 2017
Tuesdays: June 27-August 29, 2017
Thursdays: May 4-August 31, 2017
Departs St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market: 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm.
2. Specially Scheduled Event & Theme Train Rides
Our specially scheduled adventure diesel train and steam train rides include Themed Train Experiences with live entertainment, drama and excitement as well as themes such as our Great Train Robbery Trains, Twister Tuesdays, Pumpkin Patch Rides, Halloween Dress Up Rides, Santa Trains and Easter Bunny Trains. Don’t miss these exceptional events!
3. Private Charter Train & Museum Rentals
Looking for a unique venue for your next big event? Our rolling train venues and stationary museum venues offer the perfect backdrop for events of all kinds, including birthday parties, fundraisers, corporate events, anniversaries, graduations, proms, weddings etc.! Browse our Charter Packages.
Fare Details
- Purchase Tickets - 3 options:
1. Online on our Ticketing Portal—click on Buy Tickets.
2. In person on scheduled train days at the St. Jacobs Market Train Station and at the barnyard store directly across from the petting zoo.
3. Upon boarding at the Northfield (Coming Soon!), St. Jacobs Market, Village, Max's Sports World (Coming Soon!), or Elmira stops (where seats are still available).
- All Prices, by cash or credit card, are plus HST and Service Fees.
- All tickets include the return trip.
- Hop-On-Off: at any of the 5 stations (2 of which are coming soon) from the 10:00am and 12:00pm Day trains only.
- All riders of the train who have passed their second birthday require an all ages ticket. Riders who have not passed their second birthday do not require a ticket; however, when space is limited, please seat them on your lap.
- Not wheelchair accessible, however we will help in any way possible to accommodate
- (Equipment and schedule subject to change without notice.)
Themed Train Experiences
For more details about each event, see the Event News below.
Spring
St Patrick’s Night Train
Enjoy a non-stop leisurely ride to the St. Jacob’s Market, then the town of Elmira and back again totalling about 90 minutes of St. Patrick’s Day fun.
Vimy Ridge Steam Train
This special train ride is dedicated to Vimy Ridge and it’s veterans. A portion of your ticket purchase will be donated to the Canadian Veterans.
Maple Syrup Festival Trains
Enjoy the taste of Canada. Take the train to Elmira and beat the traffic going to the festival.
Easter Bunny Trains
Looking for something special to do with the kids for Easter? The Easter bunny will make an appearance riding aboard our train.
Mother’s Day Train
Give mom a unique experience for Mother’s Day with a free ride on our diesel train. She deserves to relax and enjoy the countryside views.
Victoria Day Steam Trains
Take a ride on our historic steam train for Victoria Day. Something fun and exciting to do with the family on the long weekend!
Father’s Day Train
Have an awesome day out with dad! Father’s get a free ride on our diesel train for Father’s Day.
Father’s Day Steam Trains
A rare experience for dad to enjoy! Father’s ride for free on our impressive 94 year old steam train for Father’s Day.
Summer
Canada Day Steam Fest 150
Feeling patriotic? Celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary with us! We will have our 94 year old steam train running for this special anniversary!
Twister Tuesday’s
Enjoy World Class Entertainment by Drew Ripley, Canada’s own incredible balloon artist who will be onboard to entertain all ages with his unique creature creations!
Great Train Robbery
Join us for our exciting train ride where we will be travelling with large quantities of gold to the bank in Elmira. You never know what could happen transporting something so valuable! The kids will leave with a golden treat!
Mennonite Farm Tours
Take a scenic train ride to Elmira where you can get onto our bus and tour the Mennonite Farm. Or your bus, if you’re a tour group. Get a glimpse inside Mennonite Country! See here for more details.
Christmas in July
You better watch out, you better not cry! Gather the kids and enjoy a ride with our guest of honour, Santa! It will feel like Christmas in July!
Pizza Train
Come on out and enjoy a slice of delicious pizza and a leisurely train ride. Pizza is complimentary with the purchase of an all ages pass!
Dinner Trains
Coming soon!
Summer Jazz Train
Coming soon!
Autumn
Labour Day Steam Trains
Blow off some steam on your Labour Day long weekend! Take a ride on our 94 year old steam train!
Grandparent’s Day Train
Show Grandma and Grandpa some love! Bring them on a unique train ride where they will ride free for Grandparent’s Day!
Pumpkin Patch Trains
Get to the pumpkin patch with a unique twist! Take a train ride to the patch and go home with pumpkins for the kids! Get ready for Halloween!
Festival of Colours Trains
The perfect train ride for artists and photographers! Take a ride through the Waterloo Region countryside and photograph the beautiful fall colours!
Halloween Dress Up Train
Join us for this FUN AND SPOOKY train ride where you’re invited to dress up in your favourite Halloween costume. Don’t worry, our conductor and crew will protect you from any wandering goblins and ghouls.
Thanksgiving Steam Trains
Give thanks while riding the rails! We will have our historic steam train out and running for Thanksgiving!
Hogwarts Express
Coming soon!
Frosh Week Trains
Coming soon!
Oktoberfest Trains
Coming soon!
Winter
Santa’s Trains
Bring the kids out for a fun train ride with Santa! They can sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what is on their wish list for Christmas!
Sparkles Express
Take some time for yourself, or with family at the St. Jacob’s Sparkle Weekend! Experience the spirit of holiday shopping surrounded by twinkling lights!
Remembrance Day Train
Lest we forget. Remember those who fought for our freedom with a moment of silence while aboard our commemorative historic train. A portion of your ticket purchase will be donated to the Canadian Veterans.
Scouts Express
Boy Scouts of Canada receive a special rate to ride on the historic train. A fun and adventurous activity for the Boy Scouts to enjoy!
Winter Night Trains
Bundle up and experience a night time winter adventure on the train! The winter night train is something fun for the whole family!
Jazz Night Train
Come out and catch a wonderful night of jazz on the train where you'll enjoy 1930's style Parisian café music while riding our historical train!
Valentines Train
Enjoy a romantic train ride with that special person in your life! You deserve to take a relaxing and romantic ride together for Valentine’s Day!
Polar Express
Coming soon!
Corporate Holiday Season Staff Trains
Coming soon!
News & Updates
What’s happening at Waterloo Central Railway?
Santa Train Rides!
Don’t miss this special visit from Santa!
read more
Heritage Steam Train Ride, Labour Day
Don’t miss this historic return-trip through the countryside with many great photo and video opportunities.
read more
Civic Holiday Steam Train
Time: 2:00PM When: August 7th Duration: 2 Hours Leaving From: St Jacobs Market Station Don't miss this scenic return trip through the countryside with many great photo and video opportunities. This round-trip excursion will not stop in the St. Jacobs...
read more
Hogwarts Express and Magical Wizards Festival
When: September 30th Departure: 8AM, 10AM, 12PM Night Train Departure: 8PM Leaving from: St Jacobs Market Station The festival portion of the event will take place on the Waterloo Central Railway Museum Station grounds (St. Jacobs Village Station at 50 Isabella St.)...
read moreDon't Miss the Adventure!
To ensure there's a seat for you, purchase tickets in advance on our online Ticketing Portal!