South Simcoe Railway - Tottenham, Ontario

Melissa Milwood

I recently visited the South Simcoe Railway Heritage Corp., and even though I wasn’t able to go on the train ride, I had a wonderful time exploring the historic grounds! The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, sharing stories and insights about the railway’s rich history. Walking through the beautifully preserved site felt like a step back in time, and I could really appreciate the dedication they put into maintaining the charm of this heritage railway. It’s a must-visit for history buffs and families alike, and I hope to return soon for the full train experience! Highly recommended!

renu

This train ride is a fun experience that takes you back in time. The only thing disappointing was that there were no fall colours to see right in the middle of fall. They should not advertise this as a Fall Train Ride. Also, the non stop commentary for annoying after some time. It started to feel like a history class.
Kids love it!

ivy Roy

I recently took a 1-hour train ride with Simcoe Railway Heritage to experience the fall colors, and while the ride itself was pleasant, I found the overall experience a bit overrated for a fall foliage spot. Luckily, I had booked my tickets in advance, which was a great decision seeing the long queue at the ticket counter when I arrived—definitely a time saver!

The train journey was smooth, and the vintage railway bogies added a nostalgic touch that made the heritage aspect of the ride quite enjoyable. The staff were friendly, and the ride offered a peaceful, scenic view. However, the fall colors weren’t as vibrant or breathtaking as I had anticipated, especially given how highly recommended the site is for autumn scenery.

That said, the Simcoe Railway Heritage site itself holds great historical significance, which added to the overall charm of the trip. If you’re looking for a laid-back ride with some heritage flavor, this is a good option. But if your main goal is to be wowed by fall colors, it might fall short of expectations.

Namit N

What an amazing experience, mostly run by volunteers and what an amazing staff they are. Shout out to our conductor Julie, she was extremely helpful and probably made our visit that much better. The train is an hr long ride and the views are really nice. If they had a winter train I would def come back. 100% would recommend buying tickets online in advance.

Kelsey Thorne

For non-profit, strictly volunteer run facility probably the best kept I have seen in years you can see the passion in the rail and the facilities. Everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful! 1hr long trip on the tracks but tons of time can be spent eating lunch and walking the facility. And for the trains being nearly 100 years old clean and good quality for the age!! Loved the busker really helped put the entire experience on another level and our little one couldn't stop dancing. Seats are a bit tight when you may not know the others across from you but doesn't take long to get to know them and everyone have fun. Very kid friendly. Little ones had a blast!!!

Hemant Chauhan

If you plan to go for fall rides book in advance (September). If it's sold out, come early as the ticket sales open at 10 am, but the line up starts at 8 am. Over 300 people were in line and sold out within 30 mins of ticket office opening. Great experience and ride for kids. Also pack warm clothes as it's usually cold during this time.

Mikey

We enjoyed this scenic experience on the heritage railway train in Tottenham. The station has a collection of past Canadian railcars and locomotives as a not-for-profit volunteer historical organization that rebuilt this 45 minute portion of rail line.

We ordered tickets in advance which was worth it as all seats were sold out by the time we came to pickup our tickets. The fall colours that we came for was not fully ready based on weather this year. We noticed the outside view appeared to be better on the C/D side of the railcard.

farzana huseni

Step back in time and experience the charm of yesteryear with a scenic journey through the picturesque Beeton Creek Valley aboard the South Simcoe Railway’s historic excursion train. Riding in beautifully restored 1920s coaches, you'll traverse the same rails that once connected Hamilton, Barrie, and Collingwood. This round trip from Tottenham to Beeton and back lasts just under an hour, featuring the delightful commentary of the conductor, who brings the history of Canada's railways to life.

The next excursion is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2024, during the stunning Fall Colours season. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience travel like our ancestors did, with Diesel Locomotive 703 leading the way. Advance tickets are sold out, but walk-in tickets will be available starting at 9 AM on the day of departure!