Feeling like boarding a real locomotive, taking a ride on a vintage tram, or watching a miniature train for long minutes? Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum, in Saint-Constant on Montreal's South Shore, is the largest train museum in Canada. It features over 180 railway vehicles and thousands of artifacts that tell the story of the railway in the country. Here's everything you need to know to plan your visit in 2026: activities, rates, schedule, and how to get there.
Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum at a Glance
Exporail was founded in 1961 by the Canadian Railroad Historical Association (CRHA), a non-profit organization with over a thousand members. Its mission: to acquire, preserve, and showcase vehicles, objects, and archives that trace the evolution of railways in Canada. In 1978, the Government of Canada designated it as a specialized rail museum.
The choice of Saint-Constant is no coincidence. The museum is located near the route of the country's very first public railway, the Champlain & St. Lawrence Rail Road, inaugurated on July 21, 1836, between La Prairie and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Today, the museum operates thanks to a small team of employees and about 130 volunteers, who dedicate over 21,000 hours per year.
The collection is the largest of its kind in the country:
- over 180 vehicles, from steam locomotives to more recent passenger cars;
- more than 14,000 artifacts: uniforms, instruments, signs, tableware, furniture, artworks, and miniature trains;
- an archive center dedicated to Canadian railway history.
What to See at the Museum: the Grand Gallery and Exhibitions
The heart of the visit is the Angus Pavilion, a modern and air-conditioned building. Its Grand Gallery houses nearly 50 vehicles and hundreds of objects. You can board several wagons and cars, peek inside the cabins, observe period seats, and compare locomotives from yesterday and today. Note: the old vehicles are not adapted to current accessibility standards.
Among the permanent exhibitions:
- The Rail, the Force of Connection: an exhibition awarded by the Société des musées du Québec that addresses passenger transport, freight, safety, and the role of rail in the face of climate change;
- Miniature Trains: a large HO scale network measuring 4.87 m by 12.5 m, built by volunteers with the Montreal Railroad Modelers Association. It reproduces typical scenes of the Canadian network: marshalling yard, industries, village, and mining operation;
- Barrington Station: built in 1882, moved to the museum in 1965, and restored to its original state in 1996. It is mainly visited in the summer season;
- the Little Railroaders' Wagon for the youngest visitors, and Storage Building No. 5.
As for temporary exhibitions, My Region, My Mobility is presented from September 26, 2026, to January 31, 2027. Designed by the Musée de l'ingéniosité J. Armand Bombardier, this immersive exhibition invites visitors to drive a small vehicle and explore sustainable mobility in the region.
Activities: Tramway, Miniature Train, and Steam Locomotive
Exporail presents itself as a living museum, and that's what makes it charming. Depending on the season, several activities are added to the visit. Here are those announced for 2026 on the official website:
- Tramway Ride ($3, from May 15 to November 1, 2026): the only vintage tram still in service in Quebec;
- Miniature Railway ($3, from February 28 to December 30, 2026): a small train on which children can ride;
- Turntable (included, from May 15 to November 1, 2026): a demonstration of this machine used to rotate locomotives;
- John Molson Steam Locomotive Demonstration (included, from May 29 to October 18, 2026);
- Railway Telegraphy (included, until September 27, 2026);
- Locomotive Driving Simulator and documentary film screenings in the Stephen Low Room ($5 per ticket, year-round);
- Guided Tours (included in the entrance fee).
Before You Go: Due to an obstacle on the track leading to Montée-des-Bouleaux station, the passenger train ride, railbike, and Claude-Lesage route are out of service for an indefinite period. Check the status of these attractions on the museum's website before your visit.
For Whom? An Ideal Family Outing
Exporail appeals to both children and rail enthusiasts. Kids love climbing into locomotives, taking a tram ride, and watching the miniature network. Adults appreciate the history of the country's development told through rails, archives, and interpretive panels. The visit can be enjoyed in any weather, as the Grand Gallery is indoors.
In October, the Railway Ghosts event (from October 9 to November 1, 2026) adds a Halloween touch to the museum: crafts, pumpkin trails, and on October 24, 25, 31, and November 1, characters share their tragic stories in the vehicles. In December, the Railway Christmas takes over: check the schedule on the official website.
Exporail Rates and Schedule in 2026
Here are the entrance fees posted by the museum (day rate):
| Category | Ticket Price | Annual Membership |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $25 | $63 |
| Senior (65 and over) | $22 | $56 |
| Student (with valid ID) | $22 | $56 |
| Child (3 to 17 years) | $13 | $33 |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | $68 | $170 |
Admission is free for children 2 and under, CRHA members, and the companion of a person with a disability. Some activities (tramway, miniature train, simulator, screenings) are charged in addition to the ticket. Prices may change: check them on the official website before your visit.
Schedule (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.):
- from May 15 to August 30, 2026: every day;
- from August 31 to November 1, 2026: Wednesday to Sunday;
- from November 2, 2026, to May 13, 2027: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the outdoor site closed.
The museum is closed on December 24, 25, 26, and 31, as well as January 1. Plan for 2 to 4 hours for the visit and arrive early, as the ticket office closes in the afternoon.
How to Get to Exporail in Saint-Constant
- By Car: the main entrance is at parking lot P1, near the railway crossing on Saint-Pierre Street. The museum offers two free parking lots, accessible to buses.
- By Train: on weekdays, exo trains on the Candiac line depart from Vendôme station in Montreal. After about 25 minutes, including a beautiful river crossing, get off at Saint-Constant station, right in front of the museum. Check the exo schedule for departure and return times.
- By Public Transport: from the REM Panama station (Brossard), take bus 650 to Saint-Constant, then transfer according to the schedule to lines 155 or 153.
Practical Information
- Address: 110 Saint-Pierre Street, Saint-Constant (Quebec) J5A 1G7 — main entrance via parking lot P1.
- Phone: 450 632-2410.
- Meals: indoor and outdoor picnic areas (bring your lunch). The shop sells some snacks, and your valid day ticket allows you to go out to eat nearby and return.
- Accessibility: pavilion accessible by wheelchair.
- Pets: dogs are not allowed, except documented exceptions.
- Up-to-date Tickets and Schedule: on the official Exporail website.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Railway Museum
What is the entrance fee to the Exporail train museum?
In 2026, the adult ticket costs $25, the senior or student ticket $22, the child ticket (3 to 17 years) $13, and the family package $68. It's free for those 2 and under.
Is Exporail free on Sundays?
No, the entrance fee applies every open day. However, admission is free for children 2 and under, CRHA members, and, under conditions, for residents of Saint-Constant and Delson.
Where can I see a miniature train exhibition?
At Exporail, the large HO scale miniature network is presented year-round in the Angus Pavilion, in Saint-Constant.
How long does the visit last?
Plan for 2 to 4 hours to tour the Grand Gallery, the outdoor site, and the activities.
What was the first railway in Canada?
The Champlain & St. Lawrence Rail Road, inaugurated in 1836 between La Prairie and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, near where Exporail is located today.
Also to Discover
Do you love trains? Quebec has other railway museums, such as the Musée ferroviaire de Beauce in Vallée-Jonction or the Musée ferroviaire – Gare de Labelle. For another scientific family outing, also check out the Cité de l'énergie in Shawinigan or the Musée Armand-Frappier in Laval.
👉 See the full Exporail profile on Évasion Québec, as well as the events Railway Ghosts and Railway Christmas.
