Categories > Guides and Tips
All Aboard the Canadian Railway Museum: A Handy Guide Down the Tracks
- Where is the Canadian Railway Museum?
- Things to Know about Canadian Railway Museum
- Admission Prices
- Amenities and Accessibility Features
- How to Support Exporail
- How to Get To Canada Railway Museum
- What to Do in the Canadian Railway Museum
- Check out the exhibitions
- Join the guided tour
- Ride the trains
- Visit during holiday seasons
- Catch the locomotive demonstration
- Watch the movie presentation
- Rent the museum for a shoot
- Host a railway-themed birthday party
- Where to Eat and Drink Near Canadian Railway Museum
- Boulangerie et Pâtisserie Au Four et Au Moulin
- MonAgro Foods
- What to See near Canadian Railway Museum
- Palais du Patin
- Old Montreal
If you love trains, there’s no reason not to visit the Canadian Railway Museum, also known as Exporail. I mean, it’s the largest railway museum in Canada, so there’s something exciting to see for train enthusiasts!
It’s also a cool historical place to visit, even for kids—I can attest to this because my nieces and nephews never get bored exploring the locomotives! The real trains make babysitting worthwhile!
If you’re planning to visit, check out our guide for a smooth experience! We’ve got recommendations for things to do, places to visit, tips, and important things visitors must know!
Where is the Canadian Railway Museum?
The Canada Railway Museum is located in Saint-Constant in the province of Quebec. It’s along Rue St. Pierre, just 30 minutes away from Montreal.
Things to Know about Canadian Railway Museum
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Admission Prices
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The Canadian Railway Museum is not free, so you need to purchase a ticket to enter the facilities. If you plan on visiting frequently, the annual pass is worth checking out to save money in the long run.
Here are the ticket prices, taxes not included:
| Category | Daily Rate | Annual Pass |
| Adult | $22 | $54 |
| Senior (65+) | $19 | $46 |
| Student (13 – 17) | $13 | $32 |
| Child (3 12) | $11 | $27 |
| Toddler (0 – 2) | Free | N/A |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children aged 3 – 12) | $58 | $152 |
| CRHA member | Free | N/A |
| Citizens of Saint-Constant & Delson | Free* | N/A |
| Person assisting a handicapped visitor | Free | N/A |
If you want to save some loonies, check out the Exporail promotions for discounts and special deals (but these are usually for a limited time only).
If you’re a resident of Quebec, you get free entry on the first Sunday of the month—just bring your proof of residency. This also applies to participating museums in the province, which you can find here.
Pro Tip:
Plan your trip during the summer to enjoy outdoor activities. You can also visit during the holidays for limited-time experiences.
Amenities and Accessibility Features
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The Canadian Railway Museum has added features to make visitors feel more comfortable during their tours. There are two parking areas to accommodate many guests and the pavilion is air-conditioned to keep everyone cool in the summer.
You can pack your lunch and eat at the indoor and outdoor picnic areas, which is helpful for families with kids. Washrooms are also available in the pavilion and at Hays Station.
Exporail is also accessible for wheelchair users and individuals with mobility impairment. Not all facilities have wheelchair access, though, like the vintage trains.
Pro Tip:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Avoid heels, sandals, and flip-flops.
How to Support Exporail
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If you want to help Exporail and the Canadian Railway Historical Association preserve Canada’s railway history, you can make a contribution. You can support through monetary donations for as little as $10.
Donations are accepted during the annual fundraising campaign or online, which is open any day of the week. Online contributions are available one time or monthly.
Money is not the only way you can support Exporail—get involved by volunteering your time! You can assist with maintenance, operations, archive collection, translating notes, and more!
Some volunteer positions require special skills. Maintenance and operations also need training, which is offered by Exporail.
Pro Tip:
Volunteer by raising awareness and assisting with educational activities if you cannot make monetary donations or don’t have the skillset for the volunteer positions.
How to Get To Canada Railway Museum
Closest train station: Alight at Saint-Constant station, then cross the street (Rue St. Pierre). Then walk to the parking area near the train tracks (P1), which is where the main entrance is.
Alternatively, you can catch the REM train from Brossard. After disembarking, go to either the Panama or the Brossard station and catch a bus to the railway museum.
Closest bus stop: Saint-Pierre bus stop is the closest, which is right in front of the railway museum. If you’re coming from Brossard, ride Bus 650 going to Saint-Constant and hop to routes 153 or 155 going to the Canadian Railway Museum.
By driving: Coming from Montreal, cross the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge, which will take you to the Exporail in just 20 minutes. There are two parking areas: P1 is beside the train tracks and P2 is where the displayed locomotive is.
What to Do in the Canadian Railway Museum
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Check out the exhibitions
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Visiting the permanent and temporary railway exhibitions are the main things you should do here. Admire the impressive displays of life-size locomotives and learn about Canada’s rail heritage—there are over 180 vehicles!
The immersive exhibits will give you a chance to go inside the Exporail trains, which include vehicles built for the Canadian Pacific Railway. The ones available to enter will give you a glimpse of how people rode the coaches back then!
Another exhibition that kids will surely enjoy is the miniature train section. The layout, with a collection of locomotives and buildings, portrays how the Canadian railway operated decades ago.
Don’t miss out on the Barrington Train Station, which was restored and looks the way it used to in 1882, and The Discovery Trail, which is all about maintenance and railroad safety.
For a more educational visit, the Canadian Railroad Historical Association (CRHA) archives will teach you how everything operated back then. It’s basically everything they documented, including certifications, photos, and cool info!
Pro Tip:
Don’t stick to indoor exhibitions only. There are exciting outdoor exhibits that both adults and kids can enjoy.
Join the guided tour
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If you want to learn more about Canada’s railway history, join the guided tour. It won’t take up too much of your time as it’s only 60 minutes, so you can still explore the whole museum in one day.
It’s very educational but not boring! You can even access trains that aren’t open normally (but this can change without notice).
Pro Tip:
Arrive at 1:30 pm for the French tour or at 2:30 pm for the English one.
Ride the trains
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Yes, you can actually ride the trains. Every Sunday from May to October, you can board the passenger train at Barrington Station for a short 15-minute ride.
Then, take the kids to the miniature train ride for only a loonie (and a twoonie for adults)! It takes about 5 minutes and will pass over bridges and a tunnel.
You can also ride the streetcar starting in July (the opening date will vary based on the season). It’ll take you on a little journey around the Canadian Railway Museum, which you can do if you crave a slow-paced moment.
Pro Tip:
Not all activities are included in the ticket price. Check the free activities if you want to save money, although the paid experiences don’t really cost much.
Visit during holiday seasons
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The Canadian Railway Museum goes all out during the holidays! Even if you’ve visited before, this will give you a whole new experience because of the decorations and added experiences!
Many caboose will be decked out in seasonal decor, so either see spooky skeletons or meet Santa Claus! There are plenty of activities for kids and adults to enjoy, and they usually add new ones each year!
Pro Tip:
Visit on a weekend to participate in the activities. Most of them are only available on Saturday and Sunday.
Catch the locomotive demonstration
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You cannot miss out on the John Molson Steam Locomotive Demonstration, which will basically show you a steam train in action! Yes, you’ll see the steam and you’ll hear the horn and bell—pretty cool to see, honestly!
What you’ll see is the 1848 replica of the John Molson steam engine, which operates every Saturday. And when it’s not running, you can still see it parked in Building 5 (so take a picture!).
Pro Tip:
There’s no guarantee the locomotive demonstration will always push through. Try to avoid hot summer days because it will be cancelled if the weather reaches 30°C or higher.
Watch the movie presentation
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One of the coolest experiences is the movie presentation of The Trolley, a documentary by Stephen Low. It’s a 45-minute film that will take you on a virtual journey through 39 cities across the globe.
It’ll show you mankind’s greatest inventions, which include trolleys and streetcars. Go on an adventure starting in the 19th century and learn about these powerful public transportation vehicles that gave us freedom from horse manure on the streets!
If you want to watch it in English, go to the 2 pm show, while French speakers can catch it at 3 pm. Bring an extra $5 since it’s not included in the entrance ticket.
Pro Tip:
If you don’t have the time to spare for the movie during your visit, you can actually watch it online. The full film is available for free at The Stephen Low Company website.
Rent the museum for a shoot
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Need a place to film your school project? You can rent the Canadian Railway Museum for filming and photoshoots, which will give you access to the facilities.
The collection of locomotives can be your backdrop, which includes the steam train, streetcars, and passenger trains. You can also use the train stations, including Hays, a 50s brick station.
To recreate the ambience of the old periods, you get access to 55 acres of scenery. It’s the perfect spot for old films!
Pro Tip:
Before submitting the rental form, make sure your film or photoshoot aligns with Exporail’s mission first. If it doesn’t, you should look for other locations because your request won’t be granted.
Host a railway-themed birthday party
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Throw the coolest birthday party known to mankind at the railway! This includes a museum guide, who will take the kids on a cool adventure where they can pretend they’re railway workers!
Depending on the month, the kids can even ride the miniature train for an absolutely fun time! The site can accommodate 5 to 12 children ages 4 to 10, so it’s ideal for small kid’s parties.
Pro Tip:
Celebrate the birthday with candles and cakes before heading to the railway museum. Treat this venue as an extended activity or tour to make the day even more memorable.
Where to Eat and Drink Near Canadian Railway Museum
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Boulangerie et Pâtisserie Au Four et Au Moulin
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Location: 117 Rue St Pierre, Saint-Constant
Contact: 450-633-0404, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Saturday: 8 am – 5 pm
- Sunday: 8 am – 3 pm
Sure, there’s a Timmie’s in front of Exporail’s parking area, but why not check out local spots? Boulangerie et Pâtisserie Au Four et Au Moulin is where you’ll find delicious and visually appealing baked goods!
It’s only a few minutes walk from Exporail and is beside Saint-Constant Train Station. It has delicious pastries you have to try while in Quebec, like the pain au chocolat, baguette, and palmier—all for a reasonable price, might I add!
Pro Tip:
If you’re visiting the Canadian Railway Museum during Christmas, pop by the bake shop for seasonal delights!
MonAgro Foods
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Location: 132 Rue St Pierre, Saint-Constant
Contact: 450-638-0404, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
MonAgro Foods is an Indian restaurant across from the train tracks. It’s the kind of place you go to for lunch right before you visit Exporail, so you won’t go hungry while exploring the museum!
By using traditional cooking techniques, they can make authentic Indian meals! They use fresh ingredients and they don’t skimp out on the servings.
The butter chicken is a must for every Indian restaurant we go to, but if you want to try something else, we suggest their chicken biryani and lamb curry—don’t forget the naan to scoop up all the curry sauce!
Pro Tip:
Check their grocery store and see if there are available ingredients you can use to recreate their dishes at home!
What to See near Canadian Railway Museum
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Palais du Patin
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Location: 100 Av. de Delson, Delson
Contact: 450-632-1050, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 4 pm – 7 pm, 8 pm – 11 pm
- Saturday: 1 pm – 4 pm, 5 pm – 8 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm – 12 pm, 1 pm – 4 pm, 5 pm – 8 pm
If your feet can still handle it, check out Palais du Patin, which is only a 5-minute drive from the railway museum on Delson. This is a 360° indoor skating rink that will totally bring you back to the ’80s—actually, it opened back in the disco era!
The lighting, music, and overall vibe will make you feel like you travelled back in the golden years of disco. And that’s not a bad thing, especially if you’re having fun with your family!
You can bring your own skates, which we recommend if you have them. Beginners and expert rollers are welcome anytime!
Pro Tip:
Come by on Sunday mornings to avoid crowds. Don’t go in the evenings because there are usually lots of visitors.
Old Montreal
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Location: Montreal
Since you’re already quite close to Montreal, why not make the trip a little longer and visit the beautiful city?
Taste Montreal cuisine, explore the stunning streets, appreciate the architecture, and pop by charming shops!
If you need ideas on things to do in the city, check out our summer recommendations and budget-friendly places to eat!
Pro Tip:
Go to Downtown Montreal to explore more places in one visit. You’ll find lots of local shops and restaurants here, as well as popular attractions.
