about railway city tourism

We are your go-to resource for discovering everything there is to see and do in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Railway City Tourism is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for St. Thomas. That means we're here to promote local attractions, events, businesses, history, and culture. Whether you're a visitor planning your trip or a local looking for hidden gems, we're here to help you explore all the amazing things our city has to offer.

We’re a small but passionate team of locals with deep community roots. We've done the research, made the connections, and created tons of helpful resources—now we want to make sure you find them.

📍 Visit us at the replica L&PS Station at 605 Talbot Street. Our tourism information centre is open year-round and offers current details on St. Thomas events, attractions, trails, public art, and more. You’ll also find maps, brochures, and friendly staff ready to point you in the right direction.

🔍 Want to know more about the history of the Railway City, our unique location in the L&PS Station, and how St. Thomas became a hub for rail travel? Scroll down and look for the INFO icons to dive into our city’s fascinating past.

why we're #STTHOMASPROUD

visitor info centre

L&PS Station - A Tribute to Railway Heritage
Home of Railway City Tourism

The new L&PS Station is a faithful replica of the original London & Port Stanley (L&PS) Railway station that once stood proudly in downtown St. Thomas before its demolition in the 1960s. Originally built by the St. Thomas-Elgin Home Builders Association for the International Plowing Match, the station found its permanent home thanks to a generous donation from the Dorothy Palmer estate.

Now located near its historic site, the station anchors a revitalized stretch of railway history. Reconstructed tracks connect downtown St. Thomas to Port Stanley, with newly developed park space along the line offering a scenic and accessible public corridor.

Today, the L&PS Station serves as the headquarters of Railway City Tourism, operating year-round to celebrate and share the city's rich rail legacy — proudly living up to the title “Railway City.”

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the 4 major railway lines of st. thomas

l&ps railway

One of Ontario’s oldest railways, The London and Port Stanley Railway, was designed to alleviate congestion on a road that had been built to connect Port Stanley and London. Entirely constructed by hand labour, the railway project was begun in 1853 and the first train to reach Port Stanley was on July 5th 1856.

During the next 59 years, thousands of steam trains traveled the route, carrying passengers and freight to and from London and Port Stanley.

In 1913 the City of London assumed operations and rebuilt the line into a modern high-speed electric operation. These trains enticed excursionists to travel to Port Stanley, where passengers could enjoy the amusement park, dine in the cafeteria, or dance under the stars at the L&PS Pavilion (later knows as the Stork Club).
---From the Port Stanley Terminal Rail

the railway capital of canada

Why is St. Thomas called Canada’s railway capital?

St. Thomas was once the premier railway hub of the region. At its peak, the city served as a vital international shortcut between Detroit and Buffalo. By 1914, eight different railways converged here, bringing more than 100 trains per day through the heart of town.

While many major Canadian cities served as rail centres, the railways completely transformed St. Thomas from a small town of just 1,700 people in 1860 into the booming, vibrant city it is today. The tracks brought jobs, industry, and lasting prosperity.

The Story of Jumbo the Elephant

St. Thomas gained international attention in 1885 through a tragic piece of circus history. On September 15, 1885, Jumbo the elephant, the world-famous star of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, was struck and killed by a locomotive right here in town. On the 100th anniversary of the incident, the city dedicated a magnificent, life-sized Jumbo monument to honor his memory, which remains a must-visit local landmark.

Exploring Our Historic Railway Heritage Today

The golden era of rail travel left an enduring legacy on our downtown core and community culture. Visitors exploring St. Thomas can experience this history firsthand at several world-class attractions:

⚪ The CASO Station: Originally built in 1872, the stunning station has been beautifully preserved as one of the largest historic buildings in the city, anchoring our downtown rejuvenation.
⚪ The Elgin County Railway Museum: Located inside the historic Michigan Central Railroad repair shops, offering a deep dive into massive locomotives.
⚪ The Railway City Music & Arts Festival: Evolving from the historic Iron Horse Festival, this signature community celebration takes over Pinafore Park every August.
⚪ The St. Thomas Elevated Park: Canada’s first elevated park in the sky, transforming a towering 1929 railway bridge into a stunning public greenspace 95 feet above the Kettle Creek Valley.
⚪ Railway City Brewing Co.: A staple of the local craft beer scene, brewing signature small-batch beers inspired by our city's rich locomotive history.

Preserving these historical landmarks is more than just a nod to the past—it continues to fuel our local culture, art murals, and downtown growth, proving why St. Thomas is proudly Canada’s Railway Capital.

trains today IN ST. THOMAS