Waterloo Central Railway

Railway in Ontario, Canada

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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

[edit]

### Running rights

[edit]

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 Goderich–Exeter 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

## Equipment

[edit]

### Locomotives

[edit]

Locomotive details[6][7][8][9][10] Number | Images | Type | Class | Builder | Built | Status

|
|
|
|
|
|

9 |  | Steam  | 0-6-0 | Montreal Locomotive Works | 1923  | Operational
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  | Operational
6006  |  | Buddliner  | RDC9 | Budd Company | 1956  | Operational, converted into a dining/parlour car
6111  |  | Buddliner  | RDC1  | Budd Company  | 1956  | Under restoration
9072  |  | Buddliner  | RDC1  | Budd Company, Canadian Car and Foundry | 1958  | Stored, awaiting restoration
9109  |  | Buddliner  | RDC1  | Budd Company, Canadian Car and Foundry  | 1956  | Stored, awaiting restoration
9114  |  | Buddliner  | RDC1  | Budd Company, Canadian Car and Foundry  | 1957  | Operational

### Former units

[edit]

Locomotive details[11] Number | Images | 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

[edit]

Rolling stock details[12][13][14] Number | Images | 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

[edit]

* Trains portal
* Ontario portal

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "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

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Waterloo Central Railway.

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

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