Orillia business man, Gord Smith, originally owned and operated a miniature “steam” train calling it “The Mariposa Railway” located behind “pav” (corner of Jarvis and Maple) opposite Couchiching Beach Park.

Built in 1854 by Armitage Hershell at their North Tonawanda, NY, facility. Originally operated on Toronto’s Centre Island and later at LaSalle Park in Hamilton, and Brittania Park, Ottawa. Restored several times over the years and boiler replaced to meet safety standards of the day. Failure to reach an agreement with the City of Orillia for a new extended route through Couchiching and Centennial Parks, the railway was offered for sale. Rather than see the train leave the city, the local Rotary club became involved in 1980 after the Parks Commission suggested a service club might be the only operator likely to be considered. Following an appeal from local Chamber of Commerce, the Park’s commission and the City approved the operation of a steam train on a one quarter mile figure eight track in Centennial Park.