Museum ADMISSION
All rates & categories are ‘all inclusive’. Your visit includes full access to public areas, all exhibits & activities.
A Season Pass pays for itself after 2 visits.
Enjoy unlimited rides on all of our operating trains: BC-21 Budd Rail Diesel Car, ride-on Mini-Rail and railway Maintenance-of-Way Track Speeders.
(Not valid at Special Events.)
| Gate | Season Pass | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Adult (19–59 years) |
$30 |
$60 |
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Senior (60+ years) |
$25 |
$50 |
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Student (12–18 years) Also valid for anyone with current student ID up to age 25 years |
$22 |
$44 |
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Child (5–11 years) Must be accompanied by an Adult or Senior |
$15 |
$30 |
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|
Child (under 5 years) Must be accompanied by an Adult or Senior |
free |
free |
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|
Family Must all live in the same house or address |
$85 |
$170 |
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Membership
Please note that the Railway of Museum of BC Season Pass is not a WCRA Membership purchase.
Membership includes a mailed newsletter magazine, email newsletter and voting rights.
For more information about becoming a member, and options to include a Museum Season pass with your membership, check out our membership page.
Railway Museum of British Columbia
Now OPEN for the regular season!
We’re open every Saturday and long weekend Sundays until Thanksgiving, and every Thursday during July & August.
Day out with Thomas 2024
May 25-26
June 1-2
North Pole Express 2024
Nov 23-24
Dec 2-3, 9-10, 16-17
Contact us:
P: 604-898-9336
E: info@wcra.org
See What’s On! for our full Calendar.
The Railway Museum of British Columbia is a proud participant of the Access2 Program.
The Access2 Program is for individuals with a permanent disability who require the assistance of a support person. Access2 support persons are entitled to FREE Admission.
Before you arrive
COVID 19 UPDATE August 2, 2024: The health and safety of our staff and our guests is the highest priority, and we will be operating with all appropriate Covid-19 health protocols in place.
Wearing masks in public indoor settings is no longer required by public health. Wearing a mask is a personal choice.
Getting here
From the Vancouver Area – 1 hour/75 km
The Railway Museum of BC is in Squamish, a short distance off the Sea-to-Sky Highway #99. See map above. Maximum posted Speed Limit along the way is 80 km/h. Current traffic conditions when driving are available on AM Radio 730 or Mountain FM Radio 107.1
Travelling by car, from the Greater Vancouver Area, access to the Highway #99 is from either the Lions Gate Bridge downtown near Stanley Park, or the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge (2nd narrows) via Hastings Street or Hwy #1.
From outlying areas, add extra travel time:
From YVR Airport, Richmond, Surrey, Tri-cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody) we are about 90 minutes/80–100km away.
From White Rock, Langley – 1hr 45 mins/115 km;
From Abbotsford, Mission – 2 hrs/135km.
Upon reaching Squamish, DRIVE PAST the main intersection with Petro-Canada, 7-Eleven & McDonalds, and TURN LEFT at either of the NEXT TWO exits, Industrial Way OR Commercial Way.
TURN RIGHT on Queens Way and follow that a short distance until it merges with Government Road at the STOP SIGN. Proceed across the Railway Crossing (after looking both ways!). The ENTRANCE to the MUSEUM will be on your RIGHT.
From Whistler – 45 mins/56 km; Pemberton – 75 mins/90 km; Lillooet – 2 hrs 40 mins/190 km
Take Hwy #99 SOUTH and exit at Centennial Way, at the North end of Squamish. TURN LEFT on Centennial Way, keeping LEFT to merge into Government Road. TURN RIGHT at the STOP SIGN and cross the Railway Crossing (after looking both ways!). The ENTRANCE to the MUSEUM will be on your RIGHT.
WHEN YOU’RE AT THE MUSEUM
How long a visit should I plan for?
4–5 hours is recommended to completely explore the Museum and exhibits without hurrying. This provides enough time to ride the BC-21 Budd Rail Diesel Car, the Track Speeder and Mini-Rail at least once or twice, explore the Roundhouse, Car Shop, Brightbill House, browse the Gift Store and enjoy a picnic lunch.
2–3 hours will give you plenty of time to ride everything once and see most of the exhibits.
What to wear and bring
Be prepared for changes in weather! Bring options to add or remove protective layers of clothing for sun, rain and temperature swings. We recommend footwear with complete foot and ankle protection. A sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellent are also recommended. We have food and beverage service on site, featuring the aptly named ‘Off The Rails’ food truck, and an Ice Cream Stand, but the Museum grounds are large, so it’s OK to bring your own food, snacks and drinks.
Parking
Parking onsite at the Museum grounds is FREE on regular operating days. Special events such as Day out With Thomas and North Pole Express may have a fee.
ATM
An Automated Teller Machine is available on site in the Roundhouse.
What are our guests saying?
Actual Guest reviews from Spring & Summer 2024:
“Great exhibits and railway history for every train enthusiast! The volunteers that tell the stories and give the additional background to the historical information were fantastic!” – Blair Kerfoot
“Such a great museum. Highly recommend if you have a couple hours to spare in Squamish. Great with or without kids.” – Christian Molson
“A lot of fun, especially if your kid likes trains. He is ecstatic anytime they go by and getting to get on to one and experience what it was like to ride one just made his day.” – Mike Kruk
“The staff are volunteers. All are very friendly. Senior was free. My kids and I had a good time. Something different to do. Good for young kids. I like how there are big tables and chairs in the museum for us to eat while the kids get entertained by the train table. Washroom is close by and clean. The rides are definitely more suited for young kids. You get a wristband and can go out and come back again if you decide to pick up food elsewhere.” – Jade Chin, local guide
“We visited with a HUGE train buff, with special needs, staff were helpful and understanding.” – Patrick Fowler, local guide
“Great for kids and railway enthusiasts – there are tons of refurbished train cars you can enter, plus a mini railway you can ride.” – Trevor A, local guide
“Really lovely museum with plently to look at. Ride the train, walk through the railyard, and some beautiful prints in the giftshop. Thank you!” – Jordan Nicksy, local guide
“Lovely volunteers and staff hosting this railway museum. Loved the opportunity to wander thru rail cars, outside displays and ride the speeder car.” – Lisa Westerhout
“Day Out With Thomas or the North Pole Express, my daughter and I do every year – really recommend these two attractions.” – Kavin Loeffler
“The Railway Museum is a really fun stop for families and train enthusiasts alike. There’s so much to check out and a really fun mini train to ride around the property as well. Heritage buildings and many trains to go in and explore make it easy to spend upward of a couple hours here!” – Allison Clarke
Actual Guest reviews from Spring & Summer 2023:
“What a hidden gem! I’d never have guessed such a large facility is secretly lurking off a quiet road in Squamish. Beautiful train engines, a large round house built for the trains, and a little historic village. Neat place well worth a visit with kind and knowledgeable staff and volunteers. Bonus, mini train rides!!!” – CM
Actual Guest reviews from Summer 2022:
Actual guest reviews from Summer 2021:
“I would like to suggest this as a must see museum for when visiting Vancouver area if you are interested in trains. Volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable. Our family thought the whole experience was wonderful. We were grandparents accompanied with a 7 and 11 year old. We all loved the train rides plus exploring the trains on exhibit. The idea of handing out a map with questions on the back about the exhibits was very well done and the kids wanted to make sure they found the answers. I noticed adults had the paper in hand looking for the answers too. The prize given out for completion of the questions was in my opinion over the top. This just made for a wonderful day out, Thank you to all who make the museum such a worthwhile experience.”
“Really kid friendly. The whole staff of volunteers obviously love what they do, the enthusiasm exceeded our expectations more than enough to see for at half day at least. Some of the exhibits are worth seeing more than once, can’t say enough about a place the kids dragged me too!
Didn’t know I was even interested in trains!”
“Absolutely a must visit. We will be returning as soon as possible.”
“We loved visiting this place last weekend. The staff went out of their way to make sure everyone had a wonderful time. All the proper precautions were in place in terms of safety and sanitation. I highly recommend it, especially the 3 train rides and also the exhibits inside the warehouse.”
“Had an amazing time with my family, the staff members were exceptionally hospitable, the train rides are a must go.”
“Stopped by here on July 1st while on the way to Whistler. We had visited this place several years ago and decided to go because my youngest just turned 2 and he loves trains. He was not around the last time we visited. There are a lot of new additions since the last time. A lot of things to do and see that we fully enjoyed almost 5 hours there with the 3 boys. The best thing about the place are definitely the volunteers. All of them are so very welcoming and dedicated to share the history and showcase everything about the place. Their enthusiasm is positively contagious. We’ve upgraded to a season pass and we’ll definitely be back for more. They are only open every Saturday till September. About an hour away from the city is a great place to spend a curious morning or afternoon like we did.”
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ BEFORE YOUR VISIT:
WAIVER AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY
By entering the property of The Railway Museum of British Columbia (hereafter referred to as “RMBC”), I understand and agree as follows:
RMBC is an active, working railway yard, engaging in traditional and potentially dangerous railway activities, including movement of equipment, and operation of a Turntable over an open pit. In addition, there are special rides that are also dangerous if safety precautions are not followed.
Safety Rules and precautions are provided and MUST be adhered to. Within the parameters of a working railyard, I understand that RMBC has erected safety provisions where possible, however there are aspects that are inherently dangerous even with gates and safety precautions in place.
There are risks associated with entrance and participation in activities at RMBC, such as physical injury, pain, suffering, temporary or permanent disability, death or economic loss. These injuries may arise from my own or other’s actions, inactions or negligence. Nonetheless I assume all risks of my entrance to the RMBC and participation in activities, whether known or unknown to me.
In consideration for permission to enter and participate at RMBC, I release from liability and waive my right to sue RMBC, their employees, officers, volunteers and agents (collectively “Museum”) from any and all claims, including claims of the Museum’s negligence, resulting in any physical injury, illness (including death) or economic loss I may suffer, or which may result from my participation on RMBC Property, travel to and from the RMBC, or any events incidental to my participation on RMBC property.
PARENTS AND/OR GUARDIANS
I am the parent or legal guardian of an Entrant. I understand the legal consequences of my responsibility for the Entrant, including (a) releasing the RMBC Museum from all liability on my and the Entrant’s behalf; (b) waiving my and the Entrant’s right to sue the Museum; (c) and assuming all risks of the Entrants participation at RMBC, including travel to and from RMBC. I allow the Entrant to participate in this activity. I understand that I am responsible for the obligations and acts of the Entrant as described in this document.
I agree to be bound by the terms of this document.