South Simcoe Railway’s fall-colour train is back for 2026—but advance tickets are sold out
The Tottenham excursion runs September 26–October 18. Here is what the sold-out advance booking notice means, and how to plan around limited walk-in tickets.
At a glance
Key details
The details that matter most, in one place.
- Season
- Selected dates September 26–October 18, 2026
- Departure point
- Mill Street West, Tottenham—not Toronto Union Station
- Adult fare
- $17, including taxes, for one round trip
- Ticket status
- Advance tickets sold out; limited same-day walk-ins announced
South Simcoe Railway’s fall-colour excursions return on September 26, 2026, but there is an important update for anyone planning a trip from Toronto: advance tickets are sold out. The railway’s current homepage says limited walk-in tickets will be available on operating days when the ticket office opens at 9 a.m.
That makes this a different outing from a pre-booked train ride. A drive to Tottenham does not guarantee a seat, even if a departure appears on the timetable. Use the schedule below to understand the options, then decide whether a day with uncertain ticket availability fits your group.
In this article
The 2026 dates and departure times
The official fall schedule lists September 26–27, October 3–4, October 10–12 and October 17–18. Five departures are scheduled on each operating day: 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Thanksgiving Monday, October 12, is included.
Pick a date before choosing a departure. A timetable gives you the available journey times, not a promise that tickets remain for each one. If your group has a fixed afternoon commitment back in Toronto, relying on whichever walk-in departure is left creates a real scheduling problem. Keep the return part of the day flexible or choose an outing you can reserve.
Colour is also weather-dependent. A scheduled fall-colour excursion is not a guarantee of peak red and gold leaves on a particular weekend. Choose for the heritage railway experience as well as the landscape.
What the walk-in notice actually means
The operator’s homepage is more specific than its general booking pages: it announces a 9 a.m. ticket-office opening and limited walk-in inventory during this sold-out fall season. Read that notice again before leaving home. It may change as the season progresses.
The ticket information page explains that same-day tickets are first come, first served, and can be purchased for departures later that day. The office accepts cash, Interac, Visa and Mastercard. This does not mean a particular train will have space when you arrive.
For a family travelling a long distance, the useful question is whether everyone would still enjoy a Tottenham visit without boarding. If the answer is no, wait for confirmed availability rather than building an expensive day around a possibility. Never treat an older article saying tickets are on sale as a live inventory check.
Fares and a realistic day-trip budget
Published regular excursion fares are $17 for adults, $14 for seniors aged 65 and older, and $9 for children aged 3–15. A child under three who does not occupy a seat travels free. The railway says these fares include taxes and cover one round trip; its fall page says the excursions use regular pricing.
Two adults and two children aged 3–15 therefore total $52 in train fares, calculated from those posted prices. That is a planning example, not a reservation or a package quote. Add your own transport, meals and any other activities separately.
Keeping those costs separate makes the choice clearer. A relatively inexpensive train ticket can still produce a costly day if you add a long return drive and several restaurant stops. Bring only the group size that can comfortably handle the uncertainty around walk-in seating.
Getting to Tottenham station
The departure point is on Mill Street West in downtown Tottenham. The railway’s directions identify free municipal parking near Mill Street and on Industrial Road, with a walk back to the platform. General parking is not on the station grounds.
The operator asks passengers to arrive 30 minutes before their departure for parking, ticketing, washrooms and boarding. That boarding allowance is separate from the earlier arrival you may choose for walk-in ticket sales. Do not interpret “arrive 30 minutes before” as a recommendation for obtaining a sold-out season’s remaining seats.
Save the station location before travelling and allow extra time for the final walk from the car. The person navigating should use the Tottenham departure address rather than searching only for Beeton, which appears in descriptions of the route. Agree on a meeting point if your group arrives in separate vehicles.
What to expect on the train
The railway describes a round trip through the Beeton Creek Valley from Tottenham towards Beeton and back, taking just under an hour in restored historic coaches. It currently schedules diesel locomotive 703; equipment can change. This is not a guaranteed steam-train departure.
According to the operator’s FAQ, coaches are enclosed and excursions operate in rain as well as sunshine. There are no onboard washrooms, and passengers cannot get off during the journey. Food and drinks are not permitted apart from bottled water.
For children, use the station washroom and have food before boarding. A roughly hour-long return journey is easier to plan when nobody expects a meal service or a stop for exploring another town. Keep the outing centred on looking out of the window and enjoying the railway rather than trying to fit an elaborate itinerary into the ride.
Accessibility and a backup plan
Accessible parking and station washrooms do not automatically mean step-free boarding. The operator says coach access can involve steps and asks visitors to confirm the equipment scheduled for their date. Contact the railway before buying or travelling if boarding access will determine whether the outing is possible.
Our planning recommendation is to make the ticket decision first, then arrange any meal or extra stop around the confirmed departure. If the remaining tickets do not work for your group, leave yourself permission to change plans rather than stretching the day around an unsuitable time.
If you would prefer an autumn outing within Toronto, our High Park guide gives you a park-based alternative without a train booking. For a broader choice of shorter local outings, browse things to do in Toronto. Neither alternative guarantees peak foliage, but both remove the uncertainty of finding a seat in Tottenham.
Frequently asked questions
Are South Simcoe Railway fall tickets still available?
Advance tickets were sold out when checked September 22. The operator announces limited same-day walk-in tickets, with the office opening at 9 a.m. on operating days. Availability is not guaranteed.
Does the fall-colour train leave from Toronto?
No. It departs from Tottenham station on Mill Street West. Arrange your own journey to Tottenham.
Is it a steam train?
Do not assume so. The railway currently schedules diesel locomotive 703 and says operating equipment may change.
How much is the fall train?
Posted regular fares, which the fall page says apply, are $17 adult, $14 senior 65+, and $9 child aged 3–15, including taxes.
Sources & useful links
Details checked on September 22, 2026. Dates, availability and admission conditions can change. Confirm the current details with the linked organizers before making plans.
