Mommy’s Day out : South Simcoe Railway excursion

inspired by a family day out-South Simcoe Railway- Steam Rail Excursion

“I like trains. I like their rhythm, and I like the freedom of being suspended between two places, all anxieties of purpose taken care of: for this moment I know where I am going.”

― Anna Funder, Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall

It was the day before Victoria Day and the mid-day of our long weekend. I was streaming in the internet like any other day and found some beautiful railway quotes that inspired us to make a sudden plan- a family day out to South Simcoe railway station, an old heritage recalling the history of Canadian railway .It took us about thirty-five minutes to drive away from Mississauga. A sunny day was our bonus!

The Road to South Simcoe railway

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.

Oscar Wilde

It was already refreshing before reaching the destination as the driveway was fantastic throughout the countryside. The green woods were so refreshing and rejuvenating that we almost forgot about our destination. Some wild summer flowers and their vibrant colors like violet, pink, purple, red, and blue were continuously cheering us throughout the drive. The Sun was peeping, the hilly roads and the ups and downs were amazing. It got me back to a few lines I wrote the other day!

The Destination

“…what thrills me about trains is not their size or their equipment but the fact that they are moving, that they embody a connection between unseen places.”

― Marianne Wiggins

About the excursion-South Simcoe railway

It was a wholesome trip for us, but for the readers, I would like to point out some positive remarks as well as the contrary from my perspective-

Their memory’s like a train: you can see it getting smaller as it pulls away And the things you can’t remember Tell the things you can’t forget that History puts a saint in every dream.

Tom Waits

Good remarks

1. They have good staffs. I came to know they are all volunteering for the service. I appreciate their wholehearted dedication to their job.
2. The journey had an audio guide or commentary on the history of the rail station, which is enriched with information for the visitors.
3. It was a forty-five-minute excursion and that makes it a good one in terms of duration and ticket fees.
4. They have a Well-maintained boggy, which is comfortable for the visitors.
5. There were five crossings, and the people from outside the train were greeting us at each of the crossing ! This friendly gesture made our journey more wonderful.
6. This is certainly a good learning experience for kids and teens. I saw many of them enjoying it a lot.
7. The fare was $17 for adults, which was pretty fair in my eyes.

Room for improvement

1. Though it was a good ride in terms of exploring a heritage, it did not offer any special sightseeing experience except the green countryside roads.
2. Nothing to eat or drink except bottled water! I can relate this to the maintenance of this old heritage, but still, a journey without tea or coffee is incomplete for me.
3. No detraining during the excursion.
4. No washroom facilities yet which, can create the most uncomfortable situation for anyone.
5. Dogs are allowed but not on the seat.
6. We could not get into the train with my baby’s stroller. that was a bit troublesome for us.

The vintage locomotive fleet includes:

• 136, a Rogers 4-4-0 steam locomotive built in 1883
• an MLW 4-6-0 steam locomotive built in 1912
• a GE 70-ton diesel-electric locomotive built in 1948
• a CLC 44-ton diesel-hydraulic locomotive built in 1960

Riding back on the wings of History-South Simcoe railway

“Trains are wonderful…. To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches, and rivers, in fact, to see life.”

-Agatha Christie.

The South Simcoe Railway Heritage Corporation demonstrates the South Simcoe Railway’s rail excursions which is a non-profit historical association dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and demonstration of railway equipment from Canada’s steam era. The visitors get to travel in restored 1920s coaches over the rails of a century-old branch line. This route was once used to connect Hamilton with Barrie and Collingwood. The visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of the vintage locomotive while traveling through the running countryside. This excursion offers a round trip from Tottenham to Beeton and back and it takes about forty five minutes highlighted by the Conductor’s friendly and informative audio guide. It gives an unique experience of traveling the way our ancestors did, and lets us learn about the history of the railways that eventually made Canada what it is today!

Waiting for the next

We also got to know there were special events; the fare is a little high for that, but we are still waiting. . This journey was special for us because it was the very first train journey of our little kid Mahreen, and we are over joyed that she took her first-ever train journey in this sixty-three-year-old heritage.

Do you love train journey ? tell me what you like about it the most!