Waterloo Central Railway

Waterloo Central Railway
Waterloo Central Railway equipment parked at the former Waterloo station.
Locale	Ontario
Terminus	Elmira St. Jacobs
Commercial operations
Built by	Waterloo Junction Railway
Original gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Preserved operations
Owned by	Track owned by the Region of Waterloo
Operated by	Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society
Reporting mark	WCR
Stations	Elmira St. Jacobs
Length	6 mi (9.7 km)
Preserved gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Commercial history
Opened	1891
Preservation history
1921	Canadian National Railway inherits line
1990	Canadian National Railway sells line to Waterloo – St. Jacobs Railway
1997	Waterloo – St. Jacobs Railway commences operation
1999	Waterloo – St. Jacobs Railway ends operation
2000	Regional Municipality of Waterloo acquires right-of-way
2003	Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society steam tour visits
2007	Waterloo Central Railway commences operation
2015	Waterloo Central Railway leaves Waterloo and moves operation north to St. Jacobs Farmers Market
Headquarters	St. Jacobs, Ontario
Website
www.waterloocentralrailway.com

The Waterloo Central Railway( reporting mark WCR) is a non-profit heritage railway owned and operated by the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society (SOLRS). ^[1] In May 2007, SOLRS received joint approval from the Region of Waterloo and the City of Waterloo to run trains from Waterloo to St. Jacobs and potentially as far north as Elmira. ^[1] On a typical operating day, the train runs three times a day on Tuesdays (June to August), Thursdays (May to October) and Saturdays (April to October). In 2015, the railway lost regular running rights south of Northfield Drive to make way for the Ion light rail project. All Market Train service now runs between St. Jacobs Farmers' Market, the Village of St. Jacobs, and Elmira, Ontario. ^[1]

The train also runs on certain special events including the Maple Syrup Festival in early April. ^[2]

Operations and milestones

Running rights

The WCR operates on the former Canadian National Waterloo Spur now owned by the Region of Waterloo, which connects Elmira, St. Jacobs and Waterloo to Kitchener, Ontario by rail. ^[1] Through an agreement with the Region of Waterloo, the WCR operates passenger service in daytime hours, and the Canadian National Railway operates freight service in evening hours. From 2007 to 2014, the WCR leased space in the City of Waterloo Visitor and Heritage Information Centre which was formerly owned by the Waterloo-St. Jacobs Railway. ^[1] As of 2015, the WCR no longer operates south of Northfield Drive. ^[1]

Before 2007

The Waterloo-St. Jacobs Railway operated on the Waterloo Spur between 1997 and 1999. ^{[1] [3] [4]} When it ceased operations, the Region of Waterloo purchased the railway right-of-way and the City of Waterloo acquired the railway's modern Waterloo station. ^[1] SOLRS operated on the line briefly in 2003 as part of a province-wide steam tour in Ontario. ^[1]

2007 to 2014

No. 9 hauling an excursion train on May 20, 2019

The inaugural season began in 2007 with diesel-hauled service serving Waterloo, St. Jacobs Market and the Village of St. Jacobs on Market Days. ^[1] ex-Essex Terminal Railway Steam Engine Number 9 was moved along with most of the SOLRS equipment from St. Thomas to Waterloo Region in the fall. ^[1] Santa Claus trains begin this season as well. The 2008 season added annual excursions to service the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. ^[1] In 2010 a restoration and service shop in St. Jacobs allowed for the reactivation of the restoration programme. ^[1] Ex. ETR #9 was stored under cover for the first time since it arrived from St. Thomas. ^[1] Ex. CN 79482 caboose was restored as WCR 482 and returned to service. Ex. CNR 50845 Burro Crane and steam locomotive 124 were relocated to St. Jacobs. ^[1]

The final train departed from Waterloo Station on Sunday, December 14, 2014. No further services will depart from the Waterloo station. ^[1]

2015–present

In 2015, the St. Jacobs Farmers Market Station became the main departure point for all future Market Train departures. The 2017 season began with an excursion to the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival departing from the St. Jacobs Farmers Market station on 1 April 2017. ^[1]

The Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society also runs a Rail School to teach people certain aspects of train operation. On completion of the full hours of training, graduates can receive Ministry of Transportation Certification as Engineer, Conductor, or Safety Crew. ^[5]

As of the 2018 season, the railway's southern terminus is Northfield Drive in Waterloo, just north of the Ion system's Northfield station. ^[1]

Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society

The Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society (SOLRS) is the parent organization that operates the Waterloo Central Railway. ^[1] SOLRS became a registered Canadian charity in 1988 and maintains that status today. The mandate of SOLRS is to preserve, restore and operate vintage railway equipment for the education and enjoyment of the public and to present the cultural heritage in a new and more meaningful way to generations past, present and future. ^[1]

Restoration shop

Construction on a restoration and repair shop in the Village of St. Jacobs was completed in mid-2010. ^[1]

Equipment

Locomotives

Locomotive details ^{[6] [7] [8] [9] [10]}

Number	Image	Type	Class	Builder	Built	Status
9		Steam	0-6-0	Montreal Locomotive Works	1923	Under maintenance
124		Steam	0-4-0	Canadian Locomotive Company	1930	Under restoration
1001		Diesel	S-13	Montreal Locomotive Works	1959	Operational
1002		Diesel	S-13	Montreal Locomotive Works	1959	Operational
1238		Steam	4-6-2	Montreal Locomotive Works	1946	Stored, awaiting restoration
1012		Diesel	GMD1	General Motors Diesel	1958	Operational
6593		Diesel	S-3	Montreal Locomotive Works	1957	Under maintenance
6006		Buddliner	RDC-9	Budd Company	1956	Operational, converted into a dining/parlour car
6111		Buddliner	RDC-1	Budd Company	1956	Under restoration
9072		Buddliner	RDC-1	Budd Company, Canadian Car and Foundry	1958	Stored, awaiting restoration
9109		Buddliner	RDC-1	Budd Company, Canadian Car and Foundry	1956	Stored, awaiting restoration
9114		Buddliner	RDC-1	Budd Company, Canadian Car and Foundry	1957	Operational

Former units

Locomotive details ^[11]

Number	Image	Type	Class	Builder	Built	Status
1518		Diesel	95-ton switcher	General Electric	1956	Scrapped
1556		Diesel	70-ton switcher	Canadian Locomotive Company	1950	Sold

Rolling stock

Rolling stock details ^{[12] [13] [14]}

Number	Image	Type	Builder	Built
1437		Coach	Canadian Car and Foundry, Canadian Pacific Angus shops	1923
15000		Lounge car	Canadian Car and Foundry	1923
1978		Coach	Canadian Car and Foundry	1954
2003		Coach	Canadian Car and Foundry	1954
6006		Dining/parlor car	Budd Company	1956
80		Baggage car	Canadian Car and Foundry	1949
81		Baggage car	Canadian Car and Foundry	1949
37		Tanker car	Procor	1968
401752		Bulkhead flatcar	National Steel Car	1971
3709, 3772		Boxcars	National Steel Car	1953
8751		Baggage car	National Steel Car	1930
1042		Caboose	CP Angus shops	1979
61		Caboose	National Steel Car	1914
79482		Caboose	CN Pointe St. Charles shops	1971

See also

• Trains portal
• Ontario portal

• Waterloo – St. Jacobs Railway
• Waterloo Junction Railway
• List of Ontario railways

References

1. "A Rich History Since the Late 1800s". www.waterloocentralrailway.com. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
2. "Train Experience". Waterloo Central Railway. Waterloo Central Railway. 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
3. "Eighth Edition" (PDF). Retrieved June 27, 2025.
4. "Branchline" (PDF). Retrieved June 27, 2025.
5. "Rail School". Waterloo Central Railway. Waterloo Central Railway. 2017. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
6. "Waterloo Central Railway Locomotives". www.waterloocentralrailway.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
7. "Waterloo Central Railway Budd RDCs". www.waterloocentralrailway.com. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
8. Franz, Justin (January 2, 2024). "Waterloo Central Acquires Canadian Pacific 4-6-2". Railfan & Railroad. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
9. "Steam Locomotive #1238 is coming to WCR! Help us get it restored & running!". www.waterloocentralrailway.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
10. "No. 124 0-4-0 Switcher". www.solrs.ca. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
11. "SN. 30440 - GE 70 Ton Switcher". www.solrs.ca. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
12. "Passenger Equipment". www.waterloocentralrailway.com. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
13. "Waterloo Central Railway Freight Equipment". www.waterloocentralrailway.com. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
14. "Cabooses". www.waterloocentralrailway.com. Retrieved June 7, 2025.

External links

• "Waterloo Central Railway". Waterloo Central Railway. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
• "Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society". Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society. Retrieved 2012-09-18.

43°30′57″N80°33′10″W / 43.5159°N 80.552768°W / 43.5159; -80.552768