The West Coast Railway Association runs the Railway Museum of B.C. at Railway Heritage Park in Squamish.
Last year, operations were shut down due to the pandemic. This pause in the action gave the association some time to think. Thirty per cent off the top is a large chunk of change. Did people really care about the Polar Express name? Was using it worth the price?This year, the association ditched the Polar Express name for their special Christmas excursion.
The good news is that tickets for the Christmas train are nearly sold out. Polar Express, North Pole Express, it didn’t seem to matter. It’s a lovely book and a lovely movie, but the name wasn’t central to the experience the Railway Association was offering. It turns out that similar railway societies across North America had the same idea and decided to drop the affiliation with the book. When you’re five, all you really care about is that there are candy canes and that you get to meet Santa.
Thirty per cent more makes a big difference to the bottom line. Santa may have his nine reindeer and a battalion of elves, but the association relies on 125 volunteers to make the holiday magic happen. Train buffs from all over the Lower Mainland make the trek up to Railway Heritage Park in Squamish to take on tasks from manning the gift shop to serving as conductor for the miniature train. Without all the expertise and free labour lavished on this project, prices would have to rise.
I don’t have grandkids yet. But when I do, I’ll add the North Pole Express to my seasonal “must-do” list. I’ll add it to a list that includes VanDusen Gardens’ Festival of Lights, the miniature train in Stanley Park, breakfast with Santa , dragging them to The Nutcracker at least once, and, if we’re lucky, skating on Lost Lagoon. And I’ll probably read The Polar Express to them, but I’ll leave out any mention of Warner Brothers. That thirty per cent sticks in my craw.
Jane Macdougall is a freelance writer and former National Post columnist who lives in Vancouver. She will be writing on The Bookless Club every Saturday online and in The Vancouver Sun. For more of what Jane’s up to, check out her website,
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
With his cabinet shuffle, Trudeau floods the zoneAndrew MacDougall: In a big shuffle that featured some curious moves, at least one thing was clear: the PM's focus on keeping open his path to victory
Read more »
NP’s Shopping Essentials launches a newsletter — your Canadian guide to online shoppingPerfectly in time for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and holiday shopping 2021
Read more »
Amazon warns investors high holiday costs could mean $0 profit as shares sinkAmazon sees the long\u002Dterm value in delivering what customers want at any cost
Read more »
Laporta says Barcelona has other options besides XaviBarcelona is considering other possible coaches besides former player Xavi Hernandez to take over for the fired Ronald Koeman, the club's president said Friday.
Read more »
Lightning star Kucherov undergoes procedure, out 8-10 weeksTampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov will be sidelined eight to 10 weeks after receiving treatment on Wednesday to repair what the club is calling a lower-body injury.
Read more »