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The Magic of Christmas at Exporail


Train, a Railroad to Dreams, a World  in Miniature

from November 19, 2021 to September 5, 2022


Railway Christmas

from November 19, 2021 to January 3, 2022


Saint-Constant, November 12, 2021 - Starting November 19, 2022,  Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum will transport its visitors into the Magic of Christmas.  Many vehicles will be decorated and illuminated in the Grand Gallery, activities will be offered and Santa will meet the visitors!  Railway Christmas is a must-see event for the whole family!  To celebrate this return to a true Christmas atmosphere, a new exhibition dedicated to model trains will complemente the experience, for the pleasure of all the visitors.

First presented at Pointe-à-Callière during 2021, the exhibition Train, A railroad to Dreams was produced by Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex, with the participation of Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum. The exhibition presented at Exporail until September 5, 2022, renamed Train, a Railroad to Dreams, a World in Miniature, is devoted to model trains which, beyond being a toy, imitates the reality of the railway. They recall a great history, that of Montreal, the cradle of the railway adventure in Canada, and that of the companies that have marked it. This exhibition offers a playful, technological and historical look at the world of railroading on different scales! Whether imaginary or real, this journey on rails has everything to make you dream. All aboard! 

Exporail Christmas Train


Board the Exporail Christmas Train at Hays Station on the Museum site. During the ride, the children will have the chance to meet Santa Claus.


Departures will take place at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm on Saturday, November 27, Sunday, November 28, and Saturday, December 4, 2021. The special rate for this activity:  the cost for the ride is $2 per child and $3 per adult plus taxesThis special rate is in addition to the general admission fee for a visit to the museum.



Family Activities



Upon entering the Grand Gallery, visitors will immediately be immersed in a festive atmosphere with decorated vehicles: a freight car full of toys, illuminated locomotives, an elves’ sled… Christmas stockings will be hidden in vehicles all over the exhibit hall, so be alert! Under the Christmas tree, a model electric train will remind visitors of the traditional Christmas spirit and entice them to visit our model train room where two networks are in operation.


The Craft Workshop

Along with their parents or grandparents, children can visit our Craft Workshop from 10.30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays where they can create their own Christmas tree decoration.

The Christmas cookies decoration activity (with vaccination passport)

Creativity and tasty treats will be present again this year with a Christmas cookies’ decoration activity from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m on Saturdays and Sundays. For $2, participants will be given a gingerbread cookie and the necessary material to make it look festive! 

Come and Meet Santa

Children will be able to write Santa a letter and mail it in our mail-express car in time for Christmas! From December 5 to 19, 2021, they can even meet Santa in person in the Grand Gallery: Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit of the Saskatchewan Car

The Saskatchewan car was built in 1883 for Sir William Cornelius Van Horne (1843-1915), who used it during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s transcontinental line, and later as a private car until 1915. For the event, this car will be decorated in the spirit of Victorian Christmas. Visitors will be able to learn more during a tour from 11 a.m. to noon , from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.


The Trolley (with vaccination passport)


The film “The Trolley” tells the fabulous story of this means of transportation on rails. The images shot in 39 cities around the world bear witness to the remarkable impact this invention has had on people. This 45-minute documentary by Stephen Low is now available to the Exporail visitors in English at 2:00 p.m. and in French at 3:00 p.m. Rate 5$ per person.


The diesel locomotive simulator

Take the controls of a virtual locomotive: visitors aged 10 and over will be able to test their train driving skills on the museum’s brand new diesel locomotive simulator. The activity is by reservation once on site and requires an additional fee of $5.


Ride on the Miniature Railway
Don’t forget your mittens and tuques for the ride on the outdoor miniature railway outside ($1 per child and $2 taxes included per adult) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.


Useful Information

Guided tours in English are available on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 3 p.m. (approximate duration of 75 minutes).

During The Holiday Season, Exporail will be :

  • Open from December 27 to 30, 2021 and from January 2 to 5, 2022: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Closed on December 24, 25, 26, 31, and January 1st.

You can either buy your tickets on site at the Exporail box office or online


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Contact: 

Bruno Cordellier, Communications Officer
Tel.: 450 638-1522, ext. 249 
email : bruno.cordellier@exporail.org


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