The holiday season is just around the corner and proof of that is the return of the Polar Express to the West Coast Heritage Railway Park.
It’s the seventh time the spectacle has come to Squamish, and the train is running a total of six dates for 2014. Rides will be offered on Nov. 29 and 30, plus Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14.
As in past years, the CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre will be transformed into the “North Pole” with a number of activities for the whole family.
Polar Express riders experience about an hour-long train ride with hot chocolate and candies for passengers to nibble, and the Polar Express story will be read over the sound system during the ride.
The interior of the railcars and the servers on the train are fashioned in the style of the 2004 movie of the same title. The train goes south down the tracks all the way to the Squamish Estuary and then returns to the railway park.
The North Pole inside the CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre features a “workshop” where kids get an opportunity to build crafts, much like Santa’s elves, and there is a mini-rail and the chance to visit and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Tickets for the Polar Express are available for purchase by calling 604-229-1103 or online by visiting www.wcra.org/index.php/heritage-park/purchase-tickets.
Coach seats are $27 and first-class ones are available for $39. First-class ticket holders get assigned seating and are the first on and off the train. In addition, all first-class ticket holders will receive a special souvenir gift.
Departure times on the aforementioned days will be at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.
For more information on this event, visit www.wcra.org.
