For its 21st year, the West Coast Express Santa Train is back spreading holiday cheer and bringing smiles to children’s faces on the train trips and on Christmas morning.

This annual toy drive makes the beautiful 65 km trek from Mission to Vancouver for two Saturdays of festive frivolity before Christmas arrives!

The toys are collected on behalf of the Northeast sector Christmas Bureau – including SHARE Society in the Tri-Cities, the Maple Ridge/ & Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society and the Christmas Bureau in Mission.

Last year, we had nearly 3,000 riders on the Santa Trains who generously donated 3,272 toys!

Here’s how it works:

On December 10 and December 17, you will receive a return ticket for the special Santa Train in return for a new, unwrapped toy. You can donate the toys at any of the West Coast Express Stations in exchange for the one, same day return ticket.

The Santa Train departs Mission City at 10 a.m. and stops at all WCE stations along the way. Once in Vancouver, you can enjoy a day of holiday fun before returning home from Waterfront Station at 4 p.m.

Santa will be available for pictures at The West Coast Express North Pole Station (aka Waterfront Station) at 2:45 p.m. so be sure to bring your camera!

This year is especially cool because if you can’t stay downtown for the whole day, you can take the SkyTrain out to the Tri-Cities now with the newly opened Evergreen Extension!

**Please note that if you choose to take SkyTrain home, regular fares will apply.

The full schedule and more details can be found here.

All ages are welcome! Bring your friends, family and neighbours out for this great event that helps make Christmas brighter for those in your communities.

Author: Adrienne Coling