Dino Train Experience brings the Jurassic Age to Uxbridge

The York-Durham Heritage Railway has always provided its customers with a slice of history as they board the vintage train in Uxbridge to watch the countryside roll by in the old school comfort of a 1950s Pullman car.

The Dino Train Experience is another story entirely, however, as the historic locomotives and the tranquil journey suddenly becomes a time travelling experience from the Jurassic Age to a place where dinosaurs once roamed.

The immersive event features more than 40 lifelike, animatronic dinosaurs amidst picturesque landscapes. As the retro-style Dino Train travels along the heritage railway, passengers get a lesson about these ancient creatures by on-board paleontologists.

The journey also includes interactive activities and dino-themed arts and crafts, making it a perfect family adventure. Thrills, chills, a T-Rex or two and education too. Oh my!

Kids can become paleontologists for a day, digging for fossils in a specially designed excavation area and they can learn more about their favorite Dinos at the Dino Research Centre. There is also a zoo, a Dino Maze, jumping castles, face painting and a mini explorer kiddie train for the young ones.

The Dino Train Experience is one of several themed train trips out of the Uxbridge-based heritage railway. In addition to the regular Sunday trips to Stouffville and back, there are dinner trains, family trains, and kiddie-themed trains such as Day out With Thomas, Winnie Festival, Halloween, and Santa.

The current Stouffville-Uxbridge line was built in the 1860’s by Toronto distiller William Gooderham to carry grain to his distillery as well as lumber for export and cordwood for resale, with public service beginning in 1871.

In 1920 the line became part of the Canadian National Railway. Over the years sections of the line were decommissioned but in 1996 the York-Durham Heritage Railway reopened the line between Uxbridge and Stouffville to offer heritage train rides to the public.

The Dino Train Experience will run from Aug. 26-31 and from Sept. 1-3 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a VIP experience 7:30 p.m. on weekends.

The experience, which operates from the Uxbridge Train Station on Railway Street, is $44.99 for adults, $34.99 for children (2-12) and $69.99 to travel VIP style.

For more information visit https://ydhr.ca/the-dino-train-experience/