st. jacobs & aberfoyle model railway

The labour of love that this setup took to complete is incredible. With details that are visible in day and night scenes, it doesn't disappoint.

We visited on a Saturday afternoon in December (one of the few in the winter months it's open), and while it was a little crowded, we did enjoy our visit. My 12 year old son slowly wandered around with my dad looking at the layout and talking about how it reminded him of his childhood (my dad, not my son). My 6 year old daughter wandered around with my husband, excited to see the trains moving, and practicing her counting and observation skills (almost like a game of I spy, but she never really stood still long enough to play that). The most impressive part of the display was when the lights went down in the room, and came up on the display. My favorite train was the Christmas train. I think that surprised many people when it came out.My mom wandered through the gift shop "corner", and seemed sad to find that it was mostly geared towards the kids. All the shirts and hats were in kid sizes.

I loved the scenery in which the trains were located. It was very detailed and it made the experience very realistic. You could just stay there and keep looking at everything for ages. I loved it.

Facinating to say the least. Best model roalroad exhibit we have ever seen. Details, details etc. etc. What made this so interesting was the fact that the day before we rode the Thanksgiving Steam Train from Wateloo to Elmira and back so we were certainly in 'train mode'. And most surprising was a video being played of another steam train ride, back in the seventees that went from Stratford to Goderich and back and we were on that very same ride as was our first grand son who appeared several times in this video. The steam locomotive, #9 was also the same one. Memories can be so great!

One of the best model railroad displays I have seen. Has been a long time, but felt this was more enjoyable than the display at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. Depicts Ontario in late 50's... intricate details amazingly done! Truly something to see & appreciate! Steam engines were hand-built (check out the actual blueprint on the wall on your way in - scaled down to build model)!! Don't visit St. Jacob's without seeing this!!!

We are glad you were able to see our display on a day we were closed to the public for maintenance. Please make sure you come again on a day we are open so you can see our display operate as normal with trains running. Thanks again for you kind words.

The layout is extensive with lots of track, trains, buildings and scenery. It is operated by several people so lots is happening all the time. It switches from day to night for part of each hour for a neat view with lights on. Great for people who like train layouts and for children, of all ages. Located in historic area of St Jacobs, Ontario

We spent a wonderful hour+ at this Museum this morning. The dedication of the volunteers is amazing and we were in awe of the talent, expertise and attention to detail that has gone in to making this a "not to miss" attraction in St. Jacob's. Make sure you time your visit to include the "night scene" but you'll need lots of time before that to see all of the intricate detail and to watch the numerous trains in action! We couldn't recommend a visit more highly. We'll be back...next time with grandkids in tow!!

When I heard about this attraction I immediately thought of my brother-in-law who is a 'train nut' and knew he would love to see it. After I visited - and I have been there dozens of times, I knew this was a winner - for people of all ages. Children are fascinated as are adults- men and women alike and you don't have to be a 'train nut' to love it. Don't miss this great spot in St. Jacobs.

I give this attraction the highest rating not because it is the No. 1 attraction in the incredibly popular (deservedly so) village of St. Jacob's (it will never come close to outdrawing the farmer's market), but because it is absolutely the best model railway I have ever visited. It is not the biggest, but it has an attention to detail and authenticity that can only come from the dedication of true, maybe almost fanatical, model railwayers.Like many I was fascinated with trains as a youngster and still regret losing track (no pun intended) of my Lionel sets with which I spent hundreds of hours as a child and teenager. However, I never went on to become a serious adult model railwayman. But that does not mean I lost an appreciation for model railways and seldom miss a chance to visit one.St. Jacob's and Aberfoyle is an intense labour of love. It is not a collection of manufactured train sets with a papiere mache background. Virtually everything in this railroad has been built from scratch including the trains, the tracks, the towns, the switching and it is controlled by an incredibly complex system that requires up to six people acting in effect like actual CTC controllers on a real railway. These people are model railroad builders and not collectors.From the moment I walked into the room I was captivated by the entire scene which is deliberately set in the 1950's when steam was giving way to diesel - a brilliant and realistic reason to include both types of engine. There were four trains operating- stopping at stations, waiting for lights to signal to proceed, making delicate crossovers between multiple switches - you name it. They have a video playing outside that shows the trains at a scale that appears life size and if you have ever seen a more realistic looking model train please let me know, because I will be surprised. If you like to take pictures of model trains in action this place is perfect.To top it off they have also developed an incredibly realistic transition from day to night and back with lights gradually coming on as the sun sets and then going out at dawnTo me the real success of this model railroad is that while I was there it appeared to fascinate children as young as three who wanted to stay and look long after their parents were ready to go. If you can keep a three year old's interest you are doing something right.This may be sexist, but very few women I know are into trains. My suggestion to you guys who are not interested in following your spouse into the quilt and handicraft shops of St. Jacob's is to beg off and go to the model railway after which you can repair to the craft brewery next door.

What a labour of love these people have put into this display! I used to go to see it in Aberfoyle years ago and it has constantly improved over the years. Look for signs on businesses thatare a play on words for example Sam n' Ella's Restaurant. The dusk to dawn part of the displaycannot be missed it is like looking into a real miniature wonderland as the sunlight fades and the streetlights and buildings turn their lights on. Trains roll by with lights on and you can see the Lilliputian riders enjoying their dinner. As day dawns again you walk around the display and see more detail on every turn around the room. Rural, inner city, suburbs, steam engines, diesel power, passenger and freight trains its got it all. Lots of parking and reasonable admission charge. My one request would be that the "engineers" and staff interact a bit more with us guests, we just want to share our enjoyment with you and perhaps some train stories, I am sure you haven't heard them all yet.

I loved this place. Such a detailed display! The characters, the houses, the trains, WOW! You really feel they are coming to life. It is a must see!

I couldn't believe the amazing display! The creators have captured the beauty and realism of Canadian railway history!This is a must see!!!

I have been going to Aberfoyle Junction Model Railway for the past twenty-five years, at first with the kids but now they are grown I am the big kid still going!This is the BEST evolution of Aberfoyle Junction (AJ3). The new building is bigger and better ....and has upright walls which have allowed easier access for the engineers and a much more practical control room without the old central "tower". This makes the viewing room much larger and comfortable.And because of the new location they are open EVERY WEEKEND (Saturdays & Sundays) from May to December and not just a few preview weekends as before. As an homage to their new home in St. Jacobs there is a lovely new reproduction of the Mennonite Meeting House outside of town as well as a barn raising and many horse-drawn buggies on the local roads.But sadly for we keen-eyed veterans, the new location has also dispensed with the cliff-side bathing beauties and the painter "de natur" in the woods down by the beach area.When you do take the young ones, please be sure to bring along a small stepping stool so they can see above the hills and trains. In addition to the new set-up the back hills have been leveled and opened up revealing to us many more hidden details we couldn't see in the old Aberfoyle Quonset hut. And what is always breath-taking for me is the "nightime sequence" every twenty minutes or so. Ya GOTTA stay for at least a cuppla these to catch a little bit of this panorama at night. The country houses, the towns, the trains, the city.......all lit up at various times through the "night".......ABSOLUTELY MAGICAL!!!!!And many thanks to the always gracious Gwen Bard who has created some new gorgeous backdrops which just add to the depth perspective and make the new presentation even more spectacular!A larger gift shop with terrific kids' gifts and train memorabilia....but sadly ......no more of my favorite chili dogs and disgustingly huge chocolate doughnuts....their snack bar is gone. You'll have to make your way up to the main street for some grub.Thanks for coming back AJ3 even bigger and better.

Have always liked model trains and train travel. we really had a great time here, such detail to the layout of the villages etc.....