Exporail - The Canadian Railway Museum
Discover the fascinating history of railroads at the Canadian Railway Museum
The Canadian Railway Museum, usually referred to as Exporail, is loaded with exhibits showcasing the history of the railroad both in Canada and internationally. It is owned by the Canadian Railroad Historical Association. The Canadian Railway Museum was founded in 1961 with the mission of purchasing vehicles, artifacts and documents that can be used to trace the progress of Canada's railways. The museum is located near the very first railroad in Canada and has succeeded in preserving the history of Canada's railways. It is one of the largest collections in the world of its kind.
Exporail features both permanent and temporary exhibits that will captivate visitors from every age group. There are guided tours available for those who wish to be shown the highlights of the Canadian railway history. The museum also provides a range of educational activities and conferences to further educate those who wish to learn more about Canada's railways. It is also possible to go on tram and train rides and watch demonstrations of telegraphy and the operation of steam trains. Kids and adults will love watching miniature trains making their way around beautifully detailed model railroads.
There are five main themes to the permanent exhibits, namely: Urban Railways, Serving the Economy, From Atlantic to Pacific, Railway Domination and Challenges of Railway Transportation. Each focuses on a different aspect of Canada's railways, both past and present, to provide a varied presentation of the face of the railroads.
Further entertainment is available in the form of theme days. For example: 2 November 2013 to 17 November 2013 features "Suspect Wanted: The Train Robber". Clues are left in the Grand gallery by Bill Miner, renowned bandit of the early 20th century. Children collect the clues in a notebook then take their findings to the children's craft workshop in exchange for the chance to make their own policeman's badge.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes; There is a family discount available.Exporail Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 110 Rue St Pierre, Saint-Constant, QC J5A 1G7, Canada
Phone: (450) 632-2410
Official Website: Exporail
Exporail Reviews
Rated out of 5
Amazing experience 💯 11/10. We came here with our 2 year old son on a rainy day, bought tickets for the day and left with a yearly pass. We will be back rain or shine. Great for kids and toddlers (and very interesting museum for adults). Thanks to the amazing staff who are super kind !
Lauralyn Lamarche - 4 months ago
Sprawling gorgeous collection of restored old canadian trains (+3 european ones) several of which are open for visitors to climb into. Lots of informative plaques and some very enthusiastic employees. There’s a very cute miniature model room inside the museum.
For an extra 3$ you can ride Montreal streetcar no.1959 around the site.
Sims Wang - 3 months ago
Fantastic day out - spent many hours exploring their vast collection, one of the largest in the world, and enjoyed riding the John Molson. Arrive early in the day to check out the day’s schedule and buy tickets for any special rides!
Grant Oyston - 3 months ago
This adorable attraction is a total hit for families! It’s a super-cute and incredibly fun ride that kids will absolutely love—in fact, my own kids enjoyed it so much they went on three times in a row! Beyond the sheer excitement, it's a fantastic educational experience for curious young minds who want to learn more about how trains work and the history behind them. Tucked away on the South Shore of the Montreal region, this place is a genuine hidden gem that offers big smiles, great memories, and a perfect, stress-free family outing.
Ryann Paqueo - 2 months ago
Great museum for train lover
I went there with my 21/2 year old daughter..
She enjoyed the mini train ride
The tram ride was a plus
But she was too young to understand the history of trains
Karim Beydoun - 2 months ago
Directions
| Bus or Train Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus #130 transferring to 30A, 30B or 35 | Starting at Bonaventure Metro Station | 1 Minute |
| AMT Commuter Rail - Candiac/St-Constant | Lucien-L'Allier station to Saint-Constant Station | 3 MInutes |
How to get to Exporail by Bus or Train
Located south of Montreal in Saint-Constant, Exporail is accessible by commuter train (weekdays only) or by bus.
By Bus: Take Bus #130 from from platform 13 at Bonaventure Metro Station in downtown Montreal to the Georges-Gagné autoparc in Delson. Transfer to any of Bus 30A, 30B or 35 and get off across from the Exporail parking lot.
By Train: On weekdays the Candiac/St-Constant AMT commuter train leaves platform No.2 of Lucien-L'Allier station at 9:35am and makes the return trip at 1:28pm. You can get to Lucien-L'Allier station on Metro Line 1 - Orange.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near Exporail:
Photo Gallery
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Locomotives and cars on display at the Canadian Railway Museum cc licensed photo by Fraccle -
The Flying Scotsman - A famous locomotive from the UK Public Domain -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr
