by José Gonzalez
There's a certain magic in seeing the changing colours of Southern Ontario's foliage from the seat of a train. With wilderness that stretches far and wide, a train ride is the most practical way to see it all, and many of these routes offer scenic views you would have to hike for hours to glimpse. These are a few railway options travelling through the province's lushest forests this fall. [Photo courtesy of Agawa Canyon Tours]
South Simcoe Railway
This railway's coaches are restored classics from the 1920s, taking you from Tottenham to Beeton with a total travel time of just under an hour. The Fall Colour tour takes you through Beeton Creek Valley and includes helpful commentary from the conductor.
Waterloo Central Railway
Billing itself as the perfect train ride for photographers and artists, the Festival of Colours train takes you through historic Mennonite country. A two-hour ride, it has stops at St. Jacobs and Elmira, and offers the option of booking an entire cabin, from the midway car to the caboose.
York-Durham Heritage Railway
This railway is committed to preserving classic trains from the mid-20th Century, letting you feel as though you've stepped back in time as you travel its route from Uxbridge to Stouffville. The train regularly operates Sundays from June to December, but the first half of October has a series of special Fall Colours trips on Saturdays. Each trip is about an hour and a half.
Port Stanley Terminal Rail
Although there are no themed train rides specifically for viewing the autumn leaves, this train does run through some of the woodlands around Port Stanley, so you'll be seeing the leaves if you book during a weekend in October. If you're looking for a bit more to your ride, there are special themed rides including a Pumpkin Train on October 21 and 22, complete with a pumpkin fairy to entertain the kids, and a murder mystery ride on October 14, 21, 27 and 28.
Agawa Canyon Tour Train
This is railway is much further out than any of the other trains mentioned here, sitting 114 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie, but it's one of the most scenic rides in the country. Set in the oldest mountain range in the world, this fall tour includes a stop in the canyon park and guided tours that offer insight into the history of the region and the route that inspired the artwork of the Group of Seven.
Halton County Radial Railway
Connected to the first and largest electric railway museum, all these trains are more like streetcars than the classic steam engines you might see on other lines. Although there are no special rides to see the fall colours specifically, it does stop at the local ice cream shop along its two kilometre route. There are special evening Halloween rides on October 21 and 28.
Credit Valley Explorer
One of the longer train rides you can take in Southern Ontario, this route was established 138 years ago and runs for 74 kilometres lasting about three and a half hours. The ride takes you through the Credit Valley, by the Credit River, and includes complimentary refreshments. You can also book a private caboose if you're looking to travel with a group of up to 12.
