Recent News

Summer 2020

With the summer of 2020 upon us, and COVID 19 continuing to be at risk, we feel that we have received the authority to re open our display, if the appropriate safety measures are applied.

Accordingly, much effort has been invested in meeting the Covid 19 protection measures and the layout began opening to the public August 1st. Now, after several “test” openings, we feel confident that we are in compliance and that appropriate safety measures are in place to protect the public and our volunteers.

Our new hours of operation are in effect and are listed here:

Saturdays Opening at 10:00 am, and closing at 3:00 pm (last public admission is at 2:45)

Sundays Opening at 12:00 noon, and closing at 3:00 pm (last public admission is at 2:45)

As we continue to develop confidence in operations and public acceptance of our measures, operating hours may be changed, subject to suitable notification to volunteers, and changes to the web site will be made.

Sincere thanks to all of our volunteers for being patient with us during these most trying times. Much thought and agony has gone into the decisions and we feel that the best and most timely changes are now in place. We look forward to seeing you at the layout. Please keep in mind, that the organization will only be successful with the participation of our volunteers. Please offer your services, soon and frequently.

Closed for March Break

The health and well being of our visitors and volunteers is of utmost importance to us. With the approval of our Board of Directors and following the recommendations of Ontario Public Health, we have made the decision to close for the March Break week. 

Please check back for information for when we will open for the general 2020 season.  

Open Family Day Weekend Feb 15-16-17

Looking for something fun to do with your family on a February weekend? Come to the St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway (in St. Jacobs of course). One of the best model train displays in North America, the St. J&A has passenger and freight trains from the late 1950’s. All run like real CN and CP trains used to, through 3000 square feet of fully landscaped and scenic parts of southern Ontario. Many famous buildings, an operating lift bridge, Superman, an old fashioned outhouse and lots more neat stuff. You’ll love every minute of your visit. Watch for our big yellow direction signs on King Street in the village.

Saturday and Monday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 12 noon to 5 PM

If you have small children, we suggest you bring a stool. Hope we see you and your family.

2019 Thanksgiving Monday

Here’s a plan for your family for the last Monday holiday of 2019.

Join the crowds at the KW Oktoberfest Parade through Kitchener and Waterloo starting at 8:30 that morning. Bands, floats, clowns and more. After the parade visit your favourite refreshment location (many have the initials TH) for coffee or hot chocolate and treats.

Then bring your whole family to the St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway in the village. Watch for our yellow direction signs on King Street. We’re open from 10 AM to 5 PM on all holiday Mondays (last admission is 4:30 PM). See our realistic model freight and passenger trains as they travel through southern Ontario countryside. Look for at least five things that will make you smile. See how many of the buildings you can name. Our famous night scene will amaze you.

Then it’s home for the family’s always great turkey dinner. Three great events in one Monday. Wow!

Labour Day week-end

Labour Day week-end is the unofficial end to summer and it’s back to school time. Summer 2019 has been great with lots of sunny weather. As a final summer treat , we suggest you bring the family to visit our wonderful model railway. See action of the late 1950’s with both CN and CP passenger and freight trains. We’re not sure who enjoys it more, our young visitors or the parents/grandparents who bring them.

We’re open on Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday from 12 noon to 5 PM and HOLIDAY MONDAY also from 10 AM to 5 PM. Any day our last admission is 4:30 PM. We hope you’ll stop by to see us.

August long weekend

Officially it’s Civic Holiday, some call it Simcoe Day, but whatever it’s called, we’re OPEN on Monday August 5th from 10 AM to 5 PM., as well as our usual hours on Saturday the 3rd (same hours) and Sunday the 4th from 12 Noon to 5 PM. As always the last admission any day is 4:30 PM.
If you have young children, you’re welcome to bring a stool so they can see better.
Our model world comes alive with lots of railway action from the 1950’s.
Hope to see you for a visit.

Canada Day Week-end

As usual, the St. J&A model railway will be open on June 29, 30 and Canada Day – July 1st – to welcome our visitors from near and far. Saturday and Monday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 12 Noon to 5 PM. The last admission is 4:30 any day.
Parents with small children are welcome to bring a stool.
There’s lots of things to see so we suggest you allow 45 – 60 minutes for your visit.
Hope we see you this Canada Day week-end.

Thursday afternoons in July and August

The St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway will be open Thursday afternoons from 12 noon to 5 PM on July 4, 11, 18, 25 and August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. It’s a busy time in the village with the best produce of the season at the Farmers Market, so after your shopping, join us for a visit to railways in the 1950’s in southern Ontario. It’s always fun for our families and friends.

2019 May Long Week-end

Just a reminder that the St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway will be open on Monday May 20 from 10 AM to 5 PM (last admission is 4:30), in addition to our usual Saturday/Sunday hours. Most businesses are closed for the holiday so bring your whole family to enjoy the train action of the CNR and CPR in the 1950’s.

Our insurance company will not allow to provide stools for our young guests, but you are welcome to bring your own.

We provide a great show for both young and old generations of train fans, so there’s something for everyone – find Superman, watch for the operating outhouse door, will the man sneaking out without paying his bill get caught by the police constable – and lots more. Come and enjoy our show.

Hope to see you soon.

2019 Re-opening

Greetings fans of St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway. We re-open for the 2019 season, Saturday April 27th at 10 AM.
All our winter works updates have been taken care of and there are some new scenes for you to check out. Please join us this weekend, just for the fun of it.

In general we will be open every Saturday and Sunday until December 15th, plus holiday Mondays (our first is May 20th), plus Thursday afternoons from 12 to 5 in July and August.

If you’ve visited before, we hope you’ll come again. It’s always fun for the whole family. If you’re a first time visitor, our model railway is ‘O’ scale (1/48th ratio), two track, CN & CP in the 1950’s; nearly 3000 square feet (about 300 square meters) of custom -built everything.

Come and see for yourself