About Us

About Otter Valley Railroad

Otter Valley Railroad is a family owned and operated model train store that was founded in 2003. We started off with very humble beginnings doing only special order and limited local customer service from the James family homestead in Aylmer. In 2006 the business was expanded to include attending model train shows throughout Ontario, slowing growing into the model train hobby to become a well-known name. In 2009 Otter Valley Railroad launched its first website to begin selling quality hobby products across Canada. 

In the summer of 2011, our modest business had become so successful that a new store warehouse foundation was laid on the family farm. A new 1,200 square foot retail store was opened in June of 2012. Our love for the hobby and for our modest retail prices allowed our business to continue growing.  We were able to start working with major manufacturers to obtain exclusive to OVR product runs in locomotives and rolling stock. Unfortunately, in March of 2013 our founder, Cheryl-Ann was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Despite her diagnosis, Cheryl remained passionate about her retail store and continued operating the business and attending train shows while undergoing aggressive cancer therapy. Cheryl took pride in treating customers like family, a value that we still hold very dear to. Cheryl lost her battle with Breast Cancer in May of 2017, but in honour of her memory we hold on to her core values and passion for the hobby.

In 2019 Cheryl’s son Lorne became to the sole owner of Otter Valley Railroad and moved the business to Tillsonburg, Ontario with his wife and daughter (Izzy). A 3,685 square foot retail warehouse was opened to the public in December of 2019. Lorne being an avid hobbyist wanted to further expand the Otter Valley legacy and launched our own Private Label in 2022 with the arrival of the NSC 6400 trash gondolas.

Otter Valley Railroad continues to be family owned and operated business. We as a family have invested our time and resources into growing our business to provide the modelling community with quality products at affordable prices. Our retail warehouse is stocked floor to ceiling with various hobby supplies. None of the family’s success would be possible without the support and loyalty of our strong customer base both locally and internationally. 

Family owned and operated,

Happy Modeling From the James Family and the OVR Crew