Thomas the Train at West Coast Heritage Railway

The West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish is where you’ll find the most heritage trains and railway artifacts in Western Canada.

THOMAS THE TRAIN IN 2018

Every year in May the attraction hosts a special Thomas the Train event for children and their families.

The Day Out With Thomas Big Adventures Tour takes place on May 19, 20, 21, 26 and 27 in 2018. On those days, at set times, visitors can take a 20-minute trip on the Thomas the Tank Engine and meet Sir Topham Hatt from the popular children’s book.

The event sells out every year! Click Thomas the Tank 2018 for tickets and further information.

Railway Museum in Squamish

The West Coast Railway Heritage Park includes a real steam locomotive (the Royal Hudson), a 3-km miniature railway and a collection of cabooses, train cars and locomotives.

The park is set up to resemble a railway yard from the middle of the last century and it’s a fun place for families and anyone that loves trains.

Museum Hours and Rates

The West Coast Railway Heritage Park is open 363 days a year – which is every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day. It’s open from 10 am until 4 pm in the off season, and usually longer in the summer.

Admission costs about $25 plus taxes for adults, $20 for seniors, $15 for students (ages 10+), $8 for children (ages 2-9) and $70 for families (of 2 adults and up to 3 children or students).

There is also a minirail that visitors can go on between mid-April and mid-September for a cost of $5 per person.

West Coast Railway Office Display — A railway museum display

Railway Museum Location

The West Coast Railway Heritage Park can be found at 39645 Government Road in Squamish, which actually isn’t so easy to find unless you have a good map or GPS. On the park’s website, in fact, they used to not even list the address – they just provided the following directions:

“Go approximately 2 km past the McDonald’s stop until you come to Industrial Way. There is a traffic light at the intersection. Turn left and go to the stop sign at Queens Way. Turn right and follow the signs. After the BC Rail tracks, you will see our entrance sign on the right.”

Tips and Advice

Below are some tips to help you make the most out of your experience at the attraction.

TIP #1: If you go on a weekend in the summer, and there’s a bit of a breeze, drive a ways further down the road to Squamish Spit. At the Spit, assuming good weather, chances are you’ll find kite-boarders having fun at one of Canada’s top kite-boarding destinations. In the right wind they can be fun to watch.

TIP #2: The West Coast Railway Heritage Park is a participant most years in the Kidsworld Program where children ages 4-13 can attend a selection of area attractions on specific days of the year along with an accompanying adult at no additional cost! It’s a great deal, especially if you want to visit places with trains you can climb aboard for cheap!