Elgin County Railway Museum

225 Wellington Street St. Thomas

Website

519-637-6284

Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm, Victoria Day weekend until Labour Day weekend.

 
Elgin County Railway Museum

About Elgin County Railway Museum, Ontario, Canada

The railway has been part of St. Thomas, Elgin County since the completion of the London and Port Stanley Railway in 1856. More than 26 railways have passed through the city. This provided the foundation for the birth of St. Thomas due to the provision of employment and, subsequently, the income to sustain the community. At one point, St. Thomas was interchangeable with the term “Railway City.” It was also known as the “Railway Capital of Canada” in its heyday.

The Elgin County Railway Museum is located in the former Michigan Central Railroad (MCRR) locomotive repair shops, just south of the Canada Southern (CASO) train station. The 55,000 square foot “shops” building have served as headquarters of the museum since 1988. The building and surrounding 15 acres of railway land were purchased by the museum in 2009. Locomotive, passenger car and railway service vehicle repairs and restorations are performed today. The adjacent CASO station was, and still is, innately tied to the MCRR shops. The CASO station, now owned and operated by the North American Railway Hall of Fame (NARHF) was divisional headquarters for many American railway companies and provided passenger service, while the MCRR shops provided maintenance and repair service for locomotives. Both buildings remain important heritage sites in the heart of the City of St. Thomas.

What to do at Elgin County Railway Museum?

Attractions & Things to do

Visit the historic 100 year-old MCRR Locomotive shops and discover railway artifact displays, rolling stock, and the History in Motion Model Railway. Climb aboard and explore the interior of a caboose and the 5700 Steam Engine.

See the model railway exhibit, “History in Motion”. The exhibit simulates the mid 20th century operations of Southern Ontario railways between Windsor and Niagara Falls. Steam, diesel, and electric railways were all competing. The layout is certainly a display worth seeing— the room is approximately 1,200 square feet! St. Thomas and region are meticulously depicted, including: the Michigan Central Locomotive Shops, the Car Shop, the Canada Southern Station, Roundhouse and Turntable, and select historic landscapes, bridges, and period buildings.

Additional dioramas include the Wabash Railroad Yard, London & Port Stanley Railway, and the Port Stanley Incline Railway. Visitors can experience what the railways were like in South Western Ontario during its prime.

The museum is also available for weddings and other private events including birthday parties (May – September), photography and video shoots.

Who will enjoy the attraction the best?

Young to old enjoy stepping back in time, seeing the gigantic rolling stock and model railway exhibit.

When to visit Elgin County Railway Museum?

Elgin County Railway Museum Hours

SUMMER HOURS:

Victoria Day weekend until Labour Day weekend | Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 04:00 PM

The Museum will be open on Labour Day 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

FALL HOURS:

Labour Day thru Thanksgiving | Wednesday to Saturday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Or by appointment

OFF-SEASON HOURS:

Thanksgiving (Mid-October) – Victoria Day (Mid-May) | Saturdays 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

For more information send an e-mail to thedispatcher@ecrm5700.org.

How much to visit Elgin County Railway Museum?

 
Admission & Ticket price

Adults: $7

Children: $3 (2 years old and under FREE)

Members: FREE

Membership: $30 individual/ $40 Family (includes Free admission, gift shop discount)

How to get tickets? – In person at the site.

Types of payments accepted:

Mastercard, Visa, Cash, Interac, US Dollar

How to get to Elgin County Railway Museum?

Located only two hours from Toronto, two hours from the U.S. borders at Detroit, Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and one hour from Sarnia/Port Huron.

Once in St. Thomas, you will find the Museum at 225 Wellington Street, between Ross Street and First Avenue. We’re the big red building behind Lyle Cook Automotive. For GPS purposes only the postal code is N5R 2S6.

Free parking available on site.

Accessible by public transit (local).

What about Amenities & Accessibility at Elgin County Railway Museum?

Accessibility

The Museum is accessible to people with mobility needs. Wheelchairs are provided to those who wish to borrow them. A wheelchair lift and operator is provided to access publicly displayed and accessible rolling stock during special events. It will be available during normal museum hours if booked in advance by contacting the museum directly. We also provide convenient seating in the Museum.

Fully Accessible Washrooms.

Service animals are allowed.

No dining options at the museum, but plenty in St Thomas.

Posted in Attractions, History & Culture and Museums

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