Quick Details
Hop-On/Hop-Off Service
Join us and travel back in time for an authentic heritage train ride through Woolwich Township and Waterloo Regions’ famous Mennonite farm country on our historic rail line that has been in service since the 1880s.
Sit back and relax as you travel through the picturesque countryside and beautiful farming landscape, we are so proud of. Choose your preferred accommodation, either standard coach seating or first-class lounge seating.
Whether you’re a returning guest or visiting us for the first time, we look forward to you riding with us at the Waterloo Central Railway, dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of Canadian heritage railway equipment.
Our regular train rides, departing from either our Northfield Drive or Farmers Market stations, are a round trip journey, approximately 1 hour and 45-minutes in length, returning on the same track.
Hope on and off at our stations!
With our Heritage Hopper day pass, you can use our entire daily train schedule to plan your day along our line! For example, you may wish to board our 10:10 train at the Farmers Market station, detrain at St. Jacobs for a stroll through the village and lunch, then catch the next northbound train to Elmira before returning to the market. You can board at Northfield Drive, detrain at the Market, then catch the next train to St. Jacobs for a late lunch before returning to Northfield Drive. Your day pass gives you total flexibility and freedom to tailor your day along the communities served by the Waterloo Central Railway. See below for details on each of our stops!
The Ice Cream Train
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
What’s better than ice cream? Ice Cream on the train! Join us Tuesday, July 23 for our Ice Cream Train! Hop on the July 23 Heritage Hopper for a free cool treat*!
*While supplies last. Available only with those with a paid ticket
Freezie Train
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Thursday, July 25 is our next Freezie Train! Hop on the Heritage Hopper that day for a free cool treat*!
Book your July 25 Heritage Hopper tickets today!
*While supplies last
Colour Scavenger Hunt
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Join us Tuesday, July 30 for our Colour Scavenger Hunt! Fun for kids of all ages, spot items of different colors outside the train to win a prize!
Book your July 30 Heritage Hopper tickets today!
Picture Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Join us Saturday, August 3 for our Picture Scavenger Hunt! Fun for kids of all ages, spot the different items throughout your train ride to win a prize!
Book your August 3 Heritage Hopper tickets today!
Story Time Train with Carolyn Mills
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
10:00AM
Join us August 6 in first class for a magical Story Time Train Ride with local author Carolyn Mills. Delight in story time featuring tales from “Grandpa’s Stars” and “The Little Boy Who Lived Down the Drain”. Engage with Carolyn during an author Q & A session, where she will chat with kids about stories and creativity. Kids can also enjoy decorating snap bracelets and a connect-the-dots coloring page inspired by “Grandpa’s Stars.” Don’t miss the chance to purchase signed copies of Carolyn’s books.
Book your August 6, 10:00AM First Class Heritage Hopper tickets today!
The Cookie Train
Thursday, August 8, 2024
All aboard the Cookie Train on August 8! Hop on the Heritage Hopper and receive a *FREE LARGE freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, baked locally by the Stone Crock Bakery! Don’t miss out on this sweet adventure!
Book your August 8 Heritage Hopper tickets today!
* 1 free cookie with each paid ticket
Teddy Bear Train
Saturday, August 10, 2024
All aboard the Teddy Bear Train on August 10! Bring your favorite stuffy for a delightful train ride and meet our big Teddy. Don’t miss this special opportunity to create magical memories with your little ones.
Book your August 10 Heritage Hopper tickets today and join us for an unforgettable adventure with Teddy!
What to Explore at Our Four Train Stations:
-
90 Northfield Drive W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 5A6
Our ION Connection! Hop off the ION and hop on our heritage train to continue north to the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, Village of St. Jacobs, and Town of Elmira.
No parking available -
330 Farmers Market Road, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 4G8
Visit the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market to explore hundreds of vendors selling a variety of items from food to art, collectibles, and more. You may also visit Market Road Antiques and the St. Jacobs Outlets for more deals and unique finds.
Parking available behind Value Village -
West end of Spring Street, St. Jacobs, Ontario N0B 2N0
Hop off the Heritage Hopper and take a short stroll down Spring Street to the picturesque Village of St. Jacobs. Explore unique shops, art centres, and galleries that showcase the talent of local artisans. The village is also home to a brewery, several restaurants, cafes, and bakeries, each with its own unique atmosphere and delicious offerings.
Street parking available only -
155 Howard Avenue, Elmira, Ontario N3B 2E2
Hop off the train and hop on the FREE Elmira Community Bus that will take you to downtown Elmira, where you can enjoy vibrant local culture, unique shops, and delicious local cuisine! Discover Elmira’s markets at the Bandstand Market (Thursdays from 11AM to 5PM) and Elmira Farmers’ Market (Saturdays from 8:00AM to 1:30PM).
The Elmira Community Bus meets the Heritage Hopper at all three station times (11AM, 1PM & 3PM) and provides a free round trip between the train station and Downtown Elmira. See the bus route map and timetable here. Please note the bus meets the train on Howard Ave.
Limited street parking available
-
- Northbound Northfield 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm
- Northbound Farmers Market: 10:10am, 12:10pm, 2:10pm
- Northbound Village of St. Jacobs: 10:25am, 12:25pm, 2:25pm
- Southbound Elmira 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm
- Southbound Village of St. Jacobs: 11:25am, 1:25pm, 3:25pm
- Southbound Farmers Market: 11:40am, 1:40pm, 3:40pm
-
COACH CAROur standard coaches offer traditional rail seating in groups of four as depicted in the photo shown here offering a wide-open panoramic view of the countryside and Mennonite farms adjacent to our rail line.
FIRST CLASS LOUNGE CARThis car as depicted in the photo shown here featuring soft, upholstered chairs in spacious surroundings for a full view of the countryside.
-
Parking is only available at our Farmers Market station.
While in the area please visit the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, located next to our station, which is open each Thursday and Saturday (also Tuesdays mid June-August). Be sure to check out the village of St. Jacobs, offering a wide array of shops and eateries, open 7 days a week.
-
- No food or drink (with the exception of bottled water) permitted to be brought onto the train.
- Onboard snack bar service is available.