Railway Days

Double-Headed Steam Train

Marvel at the impressive sight of not one but two powerful steam locomotives working together to pull historic passenger cars through the park’s scenic railway tracks.

Railway Turntable Demonstration

Catch a rare glimpse of the railway turntable in action as you see how trains of the past were turned around to shift directions.

Engine Cab Tours

Uniquely experience the engine cab as if you’re living through the eyes of a conductor. You might even get a chance to blow the train whistle!

Speeder Demonstration

Enjoy a real demonstration of a Fairmont Railway Car on the tracks, and discover more about their history.

*weather permitting

Handcar Rides

Hop on a handcar and experience the unique sensation of manually operating this historic railway maintenance vehicle.

*weather permitting

Locomotive Water Tower Demonstration

Learn about the process of replenishing the steam locomotive’s water supply at the railway water tower, a fundamental task in the era of steam trains.

Kids’ Railway Challenge

This challenge is just for the little ones who love trains. Your kids can join in fun games and activities created to provide an exciting and educational experience, and have the chance to win a special prize pack!

Hobo Camp

Kids imagine life on the railways, sleeping in train cars, and living the life of a vagabond in the Wild West.

CPKC RailSense Booth

Find out more about one of Canada’s top, historic railway companies, which is currently the only transnational rail network in North America.

Telegraphy Demonstrations

Step into the world of communication before smartphones and experience the magic of sending telegrams from station to station.

Behind the Scenes Roundhouse Tour

Join our Chief Engineer and train crew on a exclusive 90-minute behind the scenes tour of our Railway Roundhouse and engine room. You’ll learn all about our collection of railway artifacts and get the chance to ask the experts your burning questions on all things rail-related.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Get Tickets

Terry Gainer Presentation

Enjoy a presentation from author Terry Gainer on his novels When Trains Ruled the Rockies and When Trains Ruled the Kootenays.

Location: Burns’ Barn

Presentation times:

• 11:30 am – When Trains Ruled the Rockies
• 1:30 pm – When Trains Ruled the Kootenays
• 3:00 pm – Revisiting When Trains Ruled…

About Terry Gainer

Terry Gainer grew up living in the residence above the Banff Railway Station where his father worked as the station agent, and is where his love for trains began. His first book, When Trains Ruled the Rockies: My Life at the Banff Railway Station (RMB, 2019), is about the golden years of train travel which enhanced western Canada’s international tourism industry.

His second book, When Trains Ruled the Kootenays (RMB, 2022) is the story of how the railways established an extensive transportation network.

*Tickets are currently sold out

Take a special ride aboard Heritage Park’s little red caboose! This exclusive opportunity is only available during Railway Days, and tickets are extremely limited.

Get Tickets – Lower Caboose Ride

Important Additional Information

• Tickets are $7 each.
• Advance (physical) tickets can be picked up at the admissions building, located at the front gates of the Park.
• Caboose ride tickets can be purchased during the event at Town Hall on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• All rides depart from Laggan Station.
• Please arrive 5 minutes prior to your departure time. Latecomers may not be accommodated.

About The Caboose

A brightly painted caboose, topped by a little observation cupola, brought up the rear of every freight train. Each caboose was equipped with emergency flares, flags, signal lamps and spare equipment. As a home on wheels it was also furnished with an ice-box, water tank, table, chairs, benches, mattresses and a pot-bellied cast iron stove with bake oven and ubiquitous coffee pot.

This wooden caboose was built in 1912 by the Canadian Pacific Railway at Angus Shops in Montreal. During the 1990s cabooses were retired from North American railways and replaced with electronic end-of-train units.

About CPKC

CPKC is the combination of two historic railways – Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) – resulting in the only transnational rail network in North America.

Learn More