Railway Project: Presentation

Welcome back!

Thank you for deciding to visit the Ontario Historic Railway Project (OHRP) presentation. OHRP is a group of business and entertainment entrepreneurs. Our interest is to work together with like-minded organizations towards providing self-sustaining, railway focused education and entertainment events to paying customers. Our group’s goal is to help to produce a program of railway attractions using best practices to provide a monetary benefit to the communities of Southern Ontario. The proposed three-season tourist destination will employ local talent, trades and businesses to create an integrated railway attraction. In order to further extend the project’s utility, we propose to rehabilitate existing land and railway resources where necessary or suitable. Historic exhibits and education opportunities for visitors are also part of the OHRP program.

Introduction

Until January 2024, the York Durham Heritage Railway was a major contributor to the tourism mix in Uxbridge, Ontario . When it was in operation, YDHR proved the concept that popular events, large and small, could be centred around a heritage railway property, rolling stock and history museum. This proven concept garnered substantial revenue, praise and opportunity for the people of Uxbridge, year after year. We hope this webpage presentation will give you more insight into our plans and that you will consider joining us. Thank you for taking the time and please let us know what you think.*

*OHRP is not affiliated with the York Durham Heritage Railway. (The four images below are from various sources including the YDHR website.)

“We purchased the Ultimate package and we were not disappointed. We made great memories.”

Yelp review

“Went on Mystery Murder dinner on 08/10/23.
Had a great time, actors were amazing played their parts well. The serving staff were great, so friendly and helpful.”

Yelp review

“I did the father’s day wild west and the food was the best part of the entire experience.“

Brandon

Our small group of business and entertainment professionals is working together to bring life back to, what we believe to be, valuable rail properties throughout Ontario in a sincere effort to inform, educate and entertain. Together, we have a range of professional experience that we believe qualifies us to research and plan the construction of a historical railway attraction. We are positive that the opportunity to develop this kind of multimedia, multi-operational event is within our reach. We have an existing template in the the form of our members’ YDHR experience and we are working to attract the interest of an existing short-line rail operator.

Barrie Allendale and spur location
St. Mary’s Heritage Rail Station
North Simcoe Railway
Requirements for the physical infrastructure (variable)
  • Station or similar building: accessible, vacant, utilities, inspected, renovation (possible)
  • At least 10km of usable track: can be leased or owned
  • Train engine on site: available from existing lessor, or leased and delivered; short-line rail operator
  • Passenger cars on site: leased and delivered unless locally available
  • Access to external rail network (for deliveries of rolling stock)
Allendale Station: Barrie, 2023
Allendale Station, Barrie, 1910; postcard by Valentine & Sons’ Publishing Co. Ltd.

An idea that covers your tracks.
• Good revenue streaming
• Professional project management
• Benefits spread over the community

The role of the OHRP group is to work as developers and consultants providing planning, design and execution of all components of the particular Historic Railway Project. Once the site is established and after an approved set of milestones is reached, the site will be self-sustaining and operate independently.

Short list of some key management and staff responsibilities:

Facility Manager

  • Railway and rolling stock
  • Venue and all structures
  • Trades
  • Legal and compliance

Assistant Manager

  • Safety officer
  • Parking attendants
  • Volunteers
  • Cleaners

Event Coordinator

  • Caterers
  • Servers
  • Bartenders

Assistant Event Co-ordinator

  • Entertainers
  • Attractions
  • Retail Shop

Office Manager

  • Registrations
  • Bookkeeper
  • Web/IT

Executive

  • Board of directors
  • Project consultants
  • Event sponsors
  • Township council
  • Railways: Metrolinx, CN, CP
  • Property and lease owners

Volunteers

  • Community volunteers will be a huge part of the success of the Ontario Historic Railway Project. This can’t be emphasized enough.
Short list of proven events and attractions:

Locally produced:

  • High Teas
  • Princess Teas
  • Dinner Trains
  • Summer/Kids Event
  • Fall Colour Train Rides
  • Santa Event

Licensed and professionally produced:

  • Murder Mysteries Events
  • Wizard Event
  • Thomas the Train Event
  • Dino Event
  • Winnie the Pooh/Disney Characters Event

Our group is able to provide turnkey railway attractions on an existing property or appropriate venue in partnership with an interested community.

Local railways hold local communities together:
• Entertainment combined with good food, thoughtful exhibits and a train ride through the countryside.
• Green Rehabilitation and repurposing of properties benefits tourism, retail and local employment.

The team is currently working to shape our research of similar projects, such as the Waterloo Central Railway and our first-hand experience with the community-positive aspects of the YDHR program, into a more manageable, flexible and sustainable business model. To complete the model will require the participation of a local Township or Private land owner. The short-line rail operator will also be a key factor contributing to the success of the project.

Allendale stn. today
Brantford stn. today
South River stn. today

St. Mary’s, Ontario.
Original train station located on the Great Western Railway (GWR) is now a local eatery. With further research this site may become one of the best locations for our plan. The location has a historic rail station and track. The station is currently a successful eatery and the caboose exhibit on the property lends great authenticity to the property.

Google Images

We seek to help communities develop safe, green, interesting, historical railway attractions in Ontario. This kind of program has proven to be a great way to provide seasonal employment for local tradespeople, actors, artists, musicians and support personnel. A successful installation will also enhance local economic development while entertaining and educating the public.

Allendale stn. Barrie
More information and other references: