North Pole Express — Railway Museum of British Columbia

The Railway Museum of British Columbia in Squamish runs the North Pole Express, a family Christmas train ride from the museum's own North Pole Express Station and back. The operator says the train is led by its 1950s vintage FP9A passenger locomotives, CN 6520 and/or CP 4069, with restored CN coaches and the historic Canadian Pacific "Alberta" business car with its observation platform at the rear.

On board there is sing-along entertainment, chocolate chip cookies and candy canes. The route runs on museum property and Canadian National tracks north across the Squamish River bridge, south through town and the rail yard to the Squamish Estuary, with a short stop at the terminal before returning.

At the North Pole, in the museum's Roundhouse, Santa arrives on the Mini-Rail train that guests can ride too. The operator mentions unlimited hot chocolate and marshmallows, Marshall P. Bear the polar bear, a Holiday Mini-rail ride through the Christmas Car Shop, holiday model train displays, crafts, and a family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

A train ride with live sing-along entertainment, cookies and kids' activities on board, then the North Pole at the museum for hot chocolate and marshmallows, the Holiday Mini-rail, model train displays, crafts and a family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. All tickets include free parking and reserved seating, with seat selection when booking. The evening departure leaves at dusk and returns in the dark, and children get off into an outdoor Christmas light display.

Departs from and returns to the museum's Squamish station at 39645 Government Road, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0B6. Four ticket levels are sold: Bronze (vintage coach, quad seats), Silver (modern coach with large windows), Gold (vintage coach with a table, decorated interior and a souvenir mug) and Platinum (the dusk departure with a souvenir mug). The coaches are accessible but each departure has only one dedicated wheelchair station. The Railway Museum of BC is the only authorized seller of tickets; the operator warns of fraudulent resellers. A private "Alberta" coach for groups of up to 15 is available on request.