There are several tourist railways in Canada located in various regions of the country. Almost all them run only in season. Tourist railways in Canada are usually steam or diesel hauled and comprised of vintage cars. The list does not include miniature railways.
It is impossible to keep up-to-date information about all railways, so check the official websites before your journey.
Tourist railways in Canada
Alberta
Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions – one-day railway excursions from Stettler to Big Valley (32 km). Steam or diesel hauled trains with vintage passenger carriages from 1920s. Different themed excursions are available throughout the year, for example Country Dinners, Adults Only specials, Polar Express.
Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions – official website
Aspen Crossing Railway – themed train excursions from Aspen Crossing, near Mossleigh, to Blackie (22 km). Diesel hauled trains with vintage carriages, various routes and journey times. Shortest ride lasts 15 minutes.
Aspen Crossing Railway – official website
Fort Edmonton Park – an interesting park (heritage village) in Edmonton. Some streets in this location retain names from the years to which the buildings and rooms on those streets refer, such as 1846 Fort – A Fort Built on Fashion, 1905 Street – Thrilling Times, or 1920 Street – Tough Times, Modern Times. Attractions in the heritage village include rides on a retro train composed of a steam locomotive and retro cars, as well as historic trams. The train and trams operate on short routes, but given the surroundings, it will surely be an unforgettable journey.
Fort Edmonton Park – official website
Galt Historic Railway Park – short rides on a narrow-gauge line on certain days. Primarily, The Galt Historic Railway Park collects, preserves, restores, exhibits and interprets artifacts that represent the history and social impact of the “steam” and “coal” eras in southern Alberta. It is open seasonally from mid-May to end of August.
Galt Historic Railway Park – official website
Heritage Park Historical Village – an open-air museum in Calgary has a steam hauled standard gauge railway circling the park and heritage trams. Heritage trains run daily from May to August and on weekends in September.
Heritage Park Historical Village – official website
British Columbia
Alberni Steam Railway – a popular heritage railway on Vancouver Island. It operates during the summer season from Port Alberni station to the McLean Mill stop located in the forest. The train covers the 8-kilometer route in 35 minutes. At the final station, for an additional fee, visitors can visit the mill.
The trains consist of a steam locomotive built in 1929, which has undergone a general overhaul, and regular cars without windows. Besides the regular routes, special trains are run on selected days outside the season.
Alberni Pacific Railway – official website
BC Forest Discovery Centre – a train operating on selected days and during the summer season on a short route around Somenos Lake on Vancouver Island.
BC Forest Discovery Centre – official website
Fort Steele Steam Railway – a heritage train operating during the summer season through the Fort Steele Heritage Town. Trains depart from the starting station every hour and a half, from 11:30 to 16:30. The ride lasts only 20 minutes, but according to the manager, it allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of bygone times.
Fort Steele – official website
Fraser Valley Heritage Railway – heritage electric trams running between Cloverdale and Sullivan on the route of the former BC Electric Railway interurban line.
Fraser Valley Heritage Railway – official website
Kettle Valley Railway – steam hauled tourist trains near Summerland in the Okanagan Valley. Total length of the route is 16 km and journey lasts 90 minute journey. Passengers can choose between vintage passenger coach or open air car.
Kettle Valley Railway – official website
Kimberley Underground Mining Railway – a short line of the mine railway in the city of Kimberley, the home of the historic Sullivan Mine and the Underground Mining Railway.
Kimberley Underground Mining Railway – official website
Nelson Electric Tram – heritage trams in the city of Nelson, classified as a railway. The trams run between Prestige Hotel and Lakeside Park.
Nelson Electric Tram – official website
Safari Express Train – a narrow-gauge train in a Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove.
Safari Express Train – official website
Kamloops Heritage Railway is closed until further notice. It was a steam hauled railway operating seasonally on a short route between Kamloops and Armstrong. Trains were comprised of the steam locomotive CNR 2141 “Spirit of Kamloops” and vintage cars. Trains very popular among tourists visiting Kamloops.
Manitoba
Prairie Dog Central Railway – a popular heritage railway operating during the season on a short route near the city of Winnipeg. Trains start at Inkster Junction station, make stops at Hitch’n Post and Grosse Isle stations, and end the journey in Warren. The trains are composed of a steam locomotive and retro cars. Ride between stations lasts 50-60 minutes. The stopover is approximately 75 to 90 minutes depending on the entertainment.
Prairie Dog Central Railway – official website
Ontario
Agawa Canyon Tour Train – famous scenic railway tourist railway, also known as Algoma Central Railway, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ontario province, known for its natural beauty and many outdoor activities.
The passenger train runs from Sault Ste. Marie to the remote town of Hearst, which is 475 kilometers away. From Hearst, there is a bus service that transports passengers to Cochrane.
In addition to the regular passenger train, there are several excursion trains operating on different routes. For detailed information, please visit the website.
Agawa Canyon Tour Train – official website
Huntsville & Lake of Bays Railway – vintage trains running between Huntsville and Fairy Lake on certain days on Muskoka Heritage Place. Usually steam hauled. No up-to-date information available.
Huntsville & Lake of Bays Railway – official website
Port Stanley Terminal Rail – tourist railway operating for over 30 years in the picturesque village of Port Stanley, situated along the lake shore. Rides take place from March to December, mostly on weekends, and daily during the summer season. The train route is 11 kilometers long. All trains depart from and return to the station in Port Stanley next to the King George Lift Bridge and operate rain or shine.
Port Stanley Rail Terminal – official website
South Simcoe Railway – usually steam trains running from Tottenham to Beeton. Passengers can ride on a train consisting of a steam locomotive and restored retro cars from the 1920s. The round trip journey takes about 50 minutes. Trains operate on selected days, schedule available on the website.
South Simcoe Railway – official website
Waterloo Central Railway – diesel or steam hauled heritage trains between Northfield Drive in Waterloo, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, the village of St. Jacobs and town of Elmira. (10 km).
Waterloo Central Railway – official website
York Durham Heritage Railway running on the Uxbridge – Stouffville route on selected days was discontinued and filled for bankruptcy.
Saskatchevan
Southern Prairie Railway – vintage trains from Ogema to Pangman or Horizon on the lines of Red Coat Road & Rail (58 km). Various themed excursions on 1925 Passenger car, pulled by a General Electric 44-ton switcher locomotive. Trains generally runs from the first weekend in June to the last weekend in September.
Southern Prairie Railway – official website
Wheatland Express – various theme excursions from Wakaw to Cudworth on the lines of Wheatland Rail, approximately 18 km.
Wheatland Express – official website
Related articles:
Train travel in Canada – a general overview
Railway museums in Canada
Funicular railways in Canada
