The Best Canadian Christmas Trains to ride with your family this holiday season

The Best Canadian Christmas Trains to ride with your family this holiday season

Train de Charlevoix

Take a journey for the senses with Train de Charlevoix (traindecharlevoix.com/en/).

The train line was inaugurated in 1889 to connect Quebec City and the Charlevoix region, home to verdant, lush forests, rolling hills and mountains. Soak in these ever-changing vistas as the train passes by 125 kilometres of coastal views along the St. Lawrence River. Discover hidden gems along your journey such as Baie-St-Paul and La Malbaie where you can enjoy the farm-to-table dining experience. This coming winter take a brilliant trip to the 11th edition of the Baie-Saint-Paul Christmas Market when the train will be adorned inside and outside with thousands of resplendent lights. Combine your memorable rail experience with welcoming accommodation at Club Med at Le Massif Hotel et Spa Germain Charlevoix in Baie St Paul right next to the train station.

Railway Museum of British Columbia

Learn about and see the railway equipment that helped build our country at the Railway Museum of British Columbia (www.wcra.org). Based in Squamish, British Columbia, the museum boasts an impressive facility where there isn’t just an extensive and diverse collection of trains such as its crown jewel, the Canadian Pacific Railway Royal Hudson 2860 and examples of railway heritage, but operational trains such as the BC-21 Budd Rail Diesel car.

This coming Christmas season take a ride to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus aboard a train led by a 1910 Pacific Great Eastern #2 steam engine. Start your journey at the Polar Express Station and go to the North Pole to see Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos at the Round House where you will not only see St. Nicholas, but will also have the opportunity to ride the Holiday Mini-rail train – a small scale, fully working train, have the opportunity to peruse the gifts at the Christmas Car Shop, marvel at the holiday model train displays, get to create crafts and participate in fun activities. It’s an annual Christmas tradition for many, but can be a new

opportunity for those who want to have an immersive seasonal experience for generations to come.

Kettle Valley Steam Railway

Train lovers and anyone interested in a wondrous railway experience will be delighted to have all their senses stimulated with a

train trip on the Kettle Valley Steam Railway (www.kettlevalleyrail.org) in British Columbia.

Feel the power, hear the whistle, sounding off its presence, and get pulled back in time by the 1912 steam locomotive. Passengers will embark on a 16 kilometre trip, which includes breathtaking views of mountains, lush orchards and vineyards and an awe-inspiring sight of the Okanagan Lake, 238 feet above the canyon floor from the Trout Creek Bridge. It won’t be difficult to kick off the Christmas season for anyone that takes the Kettle Valley’s Christmas Express. The 3716 locomotive will be a shining beacon in the night as it will be covered in lights for the one-hour trip. Christmas carols will be sung to warm the heart while bellies will be warmed by the hot beverages. Santa will pay passengers a visit, highlighting the seasonal tour.

Alberta Prairie Railway

Travel back in time with a trip on the Alberta Prairie Railway (www.absteamtrain.com).

Originally built by the Canadian Northern Railway in 1911, this heritage railway will bring you back to the turn of the last century in big sky country of East-Central Alberta. The railway offers themed rides such as the Polar Express, which starts from the small town of Stettler, Alberta, nicknamed “The Heart of Alberta.” Go on a one-hour journey where you will live out the magical story, the Polar Express. It’s a story that is loved by young and the young at heart. Start the round-trip train ride with anticipation as you head to the North Pole where Santa will board to deliver good tidings and gifts. Passengers will be receive the “first gift of Christmas” – a silver sleigh bell from Santa. Also, guests will be served hot chocolate and cookies, and presented with a souvenir golden The Polar Express ticket, adults will receive a ceramic souvenir Polar Express ticket while being whisked away, completely immersed in the Christmas narrative.

Waterloo Central Railway

Let yourself be transported back to a simpler time when the train was a transportation staple by buying a ticket for the Waterloo Central Railway (www.waterloocentralrailway.com). There is a long history of rail transport in the Waterloo area. In the late-1800s train life started with the incorporation of the Waterloo Junction Railway. Hear the train whistle and imagine days gone by. The railway provides passengers service between Northfield Drive in Waterloo, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, the village of St. Jacobs and the town of Elmira. Operated by the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society, a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization, the railway helps to educate and foster an appreciation for railway history.

There are seasonal experiences offered. Most notably, for this coming holiday season, Santa’s Countryside Ride and Christmas Caboose. Santa’s Countryside Ride is a daytime trip that takes passengers through the Waterloo countryside from St. Jacobs to Elmira. During the round-trip from the Farmers Market Station to the Town of Elmira and back guests will enjoy the sounds of the season of Christmas carols, get to create Christmas crafts, participate in a holiday dance party and then enjoy a visit from Santa. For the evening, the Waterloo Central Railway offers its new onboard production of Santa’s Christmas Caboose. The magical story includes interactive live music, a special treat from Mrs. Claus, the appearance of favourite festive characters,

and Santa. This production starts at the brilliantly decorated Farmers Market Station, which will be illuminated by 20,000 twinkling lights. The shining start and the magic of the production will enliven the spirit of the season.

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

During the next few weeks, keep your eyes peeled for a wondrous sight of light and magic for the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train (www.cpr.ca/holidaytrain) when it comes to a town near you. The Holiday Train is a brilliant neon spectacle that will light the night and warm the hearts of everyone that see it. The Holiday Train tours the continent in November and December, helping to raise money, food and awareness about the importance of food banks to their respective communities across Canada and the US. Musicians will regale people wherever the train stops, warming spirits and eliciting smiles. CP contributes to local food banks at their stops, encouraging others to follow their example. Since its inception in 1999, the Holiday Train has raised more than $22.4 million and 5.15 million pounds of food for community food banks. Last year, the Holiday Train visited 168 communities, raising more than $1.3 million and 121,000 pounds of food.