On Saturday Dec. 8 and 15, the popular West Coast Express (WCE) Santa Train will be back on track for yet another fun-filled family excursion.
The Santa Train is an annual toy drive that makes the scenic 65-km journey from Mission to Vancouver – and all WCE stations in between.
Now in its 16th year, the Santa Train collects toys on behalf of the various Christmas bureaus throughout the various communities served by WCE in the northeast sector, including the Christmas Bureau in Mission.
To ride the Santa Train, bring a new, unused and unwrapped toy to any WCE station (on either Dec. 8 or 15). In exchange for your unwrapped toy, you will receive a return ticket for the West Coast Express – to be used the same day.
As of 2010, the Santa Train has been expanded beyond its traditional toy drive role to include a food drive as well.
As a result, between Dec. 8 and 15, canned goods and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the food collection bins located at Waterfront Station as well as the bins located at charity train partners – including the Black Press Newspaper Group.
Train riders are still required to bring a toy to board the train.