The West Coast Express Santa Train is returning this year for two Saturdays in December (Dec. 9 and 16).
Riders will receive a return ticket for the West Coast Express in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy or cash donation made during those mornings. It’s one toy or donation per person. Children under the age of five are free.
The trains depart at 10 a.m. and people are encouraged to arrive early.
Once riders arrive in Vancouver, they will have time to look around, or shop, before meeting Santa at the Waterfront station later in the afternoon.
Santa stopped by the Mission Record office to remind people to take the train and help collect items for the Mission Christmas Bureau.
“I thought I’d come to Mission and take a quick look around,” Santa explained
“They will have an opportunity to look around Vancouver and, at about 2:30 p.m. they can meet me and get a picture,” he said.
All of the toys and donations collected remain in the local communities. Beneficiaries include the Mission Christmas Bureau, the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society, the Tri-Cities Share Society, and the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.
December is a busy month for Santa, but he said he stopped by because Mission is one of those places that for many years has been very supportive. He also said that the Santa Train is designed to help children and that’s what Santa is all about.
“I hope you will enjoy the train ride and that you will all be good boys and girls,” Santa said.
To learn more about the West Coast Express Santa Train schedule, visit translink.ca/wce.