The “Railway Capital of Canada” is also home to museums, breweries, vineyards and a life-size statue of Jumbo the elephant.
Railroad enthusiasts will enjoy the locomotive history on display in St. Thomas while families will enjoy the scenic railway excursions and wine lovers will enjoy the local vineyards.St. Thomas is a midway point between Buffalo, New York, and Detroit, Michigan. This location made it an ideal railway hub in the early 1900s. At the railroads’ peak, St. Thomas had 100 trains running through it each day. The city added automobile manufacturing and other trades to its offerings to offset the decline of rail traffic in the mid-20th century. Today, visitors see a modern, diverse workforce and the traditional, automotive heritage side-by-side. Reserve an afternoon for a scenic railroad excursion aboard the local Orangeville Brampton Railway. You can book excursions year-round and share a railcar with a VIP guest, Santa Claus, during the winter holidays. Head to central St. Thomas and tour the Elgin County Railway Museum. Learn how railway workers formed brotherhoods and considered working the railroad a way of life more than a job. Gaze upon authentic railway tools and antique maps and photographs. Continue down Talbot Street and marvel at the life-size statue of Jumbo the elephant. This famous circus performer spent his last days in St. Thomas before a tragic, fatal collision with a train. Toast the fallen giant at the nearby Railway City Brewing Company with their commemorative brew, Dead Elephant Ale. Get closer to nature in southern St. Thomas at Pinafore Park where there are numerous cross-country ski and hiking trails. Check the park’s special events schedule to see what’s going on at the stadium and on the stage here during your visit. Plan a day trip to the Quai du Vin Estate Winery in southeast St. Thomas. Be sure to call ahead for vineyard tour schedules. St. Thomas has a very affordable public transport system, Metrobus Transit. If you choose to drive a rental car, be sure to designate a driver if indulging in the local beer or wine.
