Railway Museum of British Columbia — Attraction in Squamish

I booked the tickets for the train ride on November 24th 2pm. However we were late and when we arrived, the onsite staff was very kind to let us on board for the next train at 4pm. Then we were told the train had to be cancelled as it derailed, and we would either be scheduled at a different time or get the refund. As my tickets were purchased for the 2pm, I checked with the onsite staff specifically whether or not I was eligible for the refund. She confirmed YES. She collected my tickets and made a note on it, and said it would be processed manually. Also she left me a number so I could call back to check with them if the refund didn’t arrive.

About two weeks later, I didn’t hear anything from Wes Coast railway, no call back to reschedule the train nor the refund. So I emailed them. The staff in the email refused to issue me the refund and said I wasn’t qualified because I missed my train at 2pm and I was on the waitlist for 4pm. However that wasn’t what I was told onsite. I exchanged the tickets which were no difference from other customers to board on the 4pm train and the onsite staff never mentioned it was on WAITLIST. I argued in the email that the company should honour the decision made by the onsite staff. The onsite staff was very sincere and apologized for the situation that the train had to be cancelled on the first day of opening as it derailed. In the end, the staff emailed me back to offer another ride, which I couldn’t attend as I would be away for vacation. I requested again to get my refund but never heard back from west coast railway ever.

The whole thing of dealing with west coast railway was exhausting. I wasn’t upset when I heard the train got cancelled. I appreciated the onsite staff the way they handled the situation as there were crying babies and heartbroken kids who had high expectations for the train ride. I was given assurance when I left the train that my tickets would be taken care of. However later on I felt like I was unwelcome and rejected by west coast railway. The customer services provided by west coast railway was such a disappointment. Definitely not the spirit...

I had high hopes for Day Out With Thomas but was disappointed. Took the kids yesterday. The entrance looked promising but when we got there, there really wasn’t that much to do, especially for how much they charge. First of all, they charge full price for everyone, including children under 2. You have to pay $5 for parking. There was one actual food truck and one refreshments truck, along with a “grab and go” stand. The main building had “entertainment”. A juggler and musician. They had one little table with miniature trains for the kids to look at. One long line up to get balloons from a clown. The “Car Shop” room was the saddest. It had one little bouncy castle and a couple bean bag thrown games. You can write a letter to Thomas there and go check out the only train on display.

There was one building where kids could go get their face painted or get a tattoo. Pandemic aside, it was very uncomfortable seeing the face painter without a mask, especially with them being inches from the child.

They crammed everyone onto the train, which was small and very hot. There was hardly any ventilation. Having paid full price we expected to get our own seats but that didn’t happen. We had to share a pod with other families and our kids didn’t get their own seats. With the amount of people purchasing tickets, they should have factored this all in to allow everyone who paid for a ticket to have their own seats.

The coolest part of this experience was seeing the Thomas train go by on the tracks. I would suggest spending the day doing something else, especially for the amount of money you will be spending going to this. Would have loved to be able to check out more trains at the museum. Not sure how it is on...

Our recent experience at the North Pole Express in Squamish was nothing short of magical! From the moment we stepped onto the enchanting train platform, we were immersed in a winter wonderland filled with joy and festive cheer.

One of the standout features of the event was the plethora of activities catering to both kids and adults. The train sets featuring a miniature city layout were not only visually delightful but also interactive, allowing visitors to engage in playful exploration. The mini train ride was a highlight, providing a charming journey that added to the overall festive atmosphere.

The variety of activities offered truly made this experience memorable. Ornament decorating brought out our creative side, while cookie decorating allowed us to indulge our sweet tooth. The attention to detail in each activity ensured that participants of all ages found joy in the festive crafts.

Meeting Santa was a delight, and the opportunity to capture the moment with a keepsake photo added a special touch to our visit. The hot chocolate was a welcomed treat, warming us up on a chilly winter day. Additionally, the souvenir we took home served as a lovely memento, allowing us to cherish the memories of our North Pole Express adventure.

The organizers deserve commendation for seamlessly blending entertainment and festive spirit into every aspect of the event. The North Pole Express Squamish is truly a family-friendly experience that goes above and beyond to ensure that both children and adults can fully participate and enjoy the holiday festivities. We left with hearts full of joy and a sense of the magic that makes the holiday season...