easy
1.5–2 hours
Suitable for all ages; no special fitness required
Ride through Waterloo’s history on the Heritage Hopper, a vintage railway experience that combines scenic views with nostalgic charm. Discover why this outdoor activity is a standout local tradition.
Heritage Hopper is a Hop On / Hop Off service with stops at Northfield, Farmers Market, St. Jacobs and Elmira.
Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes roundtrip
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 lounge car 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. However, with our new 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.
While in the area please visit the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, located next to our station, which is open each Thursday and Saturday (Tuesdays mid June-August). Also, be sure to check out the village of St. Jacobs, offering a wide array of shops and eateries, open 7 days a week.
Our standard coaches offer traditional rail seating in groups of four and two as depicted in the photo shown here offering a wide-open, panoramic view of the countryside and Mennonite farms adjacent to our rail line.
This car as depicted in the photo shown here featuring soft, upholstered chairs in spacious surroundings for a full view of the countryside.
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
Get to the station 15-20 minutes before departure to secure good seats and enjoy the station's historic ambiance.
Bring layers and weather-appropriate clothing, as parts of the trip are outdoors and exposed to the elements.
Capture the scenic views and historical details along the route with your camera or binoculars.
Verify departure times and special event days to plan your visit accordingly.
The Waterloo Central Railway has operated since 1987, preserving the region’s historic railcars and promoting local history.
The railway works to preserve historic trains responsibly, minimizing environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly tourism.
Wear for walking around stations and easy outdoor viewing areas.
Be prepared for changing weather conditions during outdoor portions of the trip.
spring|fall|winter|null specific
Capture scenic views and memorable moments along the journey.
Protect yourself from sun exposure during outdoor viewing or stops.
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