The launch of a new tourist train that will operate on city-owned track to Campbellville and back has been delayed until June, but the operator says the level of interest has exceeded expectations.

The response to the train called The Guelph Junction Express has been "insane," said John Carroll of Destiny Tours International Inc., which will offer weekend dinner, brunch and sightseeing tours year-round on 27 kilometres of track.

"It's better than we could have hoped for at this point. It's encouraging," Carroll said.

Calls have been coming in from individuals, groups and even tour operators wanting to book fall foliage trips in the fall.

It was hoped the train could be launched in late May, but now it looks like it will be mid-June, if there are no further delays, he said.

New windows to be installed in the train cars haven't yet arrived, leading to the delay, he said. A specially ordered generator that will supply all power needs in the cars, including air conditioning and heat, arrived just recently.

Members of the Guelph Historical Railway Association have been helping with renovations to three of the six rail cars bought by Destiny Rail, which has been formed by Destiny Tours to run the new venture, Carroll said.

The association, which can be reached at 519-836-7186 or 519-824-8254, is also coordinating volunteer opportunities on the train when it starts running.

The other three rail cars bought by Destiny are being held in reserve for possible expansion or for leasing out, Carroll said.

Locomotives and experienced crews from Ontario Southland Railway will pull the 1950s vintage stainless-steel railcars on excursions south through the city and further south to Campbellville, with passengers boarding in John Galt Park near the River Run Centre. Southland now operates the freight cars on the city-owned Guelph Junction Railway track.

For more information, visit www.guelphjunctionexpress.ca.