Whether circling the base of the family Christmas tree or bringing loved ones home for the holidays, trains are nearly as much a part of the Yuletide tradition as Santa himself. No wonder that a Christmas train ride with Santa on board delights tiny tots and sentimental boomers alike. Holiday train rides can be found at railways across the U.S. and Canada.
Though the ongoing pandemic may have sidetracked many beloved holiday traditions, Christmas celebrations are still ready to roll at a number of North American railways. North Pole journeys, Santa-on-board excursions, and even authentic Polar Express adventures will be departing from station platforms across U.S. and Canada. And, as in years past, twinkling lights, tasty treats, special gifts, and entertainment are often part of fun!
Protecting passengers and crews is always a top priority for U.S. and Canadian railways but the coronavirus has brought a new sense of urgency. This holiday season, you can expect all Christmas event host railroads to be taking taking extra precautions. Best practices are strictly enforced. That includes face coverings and safe distancing for all – and that includes Santa, his helpers, and Mrs. Claus!
Meanwhile, U.S. and Canadian railways have all expanded cleaning procedures and, depending on local conditions, a number of railways offer open-air car seating with plenty of fresh air. Indoor areas like stations, gift shops, and museums may be closed or have restricted access; and food services may be limited or unavailable. Finally, remember that this year – due to distancing – Santa’s lap is off limits!
Ready to get on board? We’ve checked in on some of North America’s most popular Christmas trains to confirm 2020 operations are on track. As of early November, all information is accurate.
New England
Amid peaks and valleys dusted with snow, New England‘s railroads offer trainloads of Christmas delights. The holiday fun is on track from Santa’s Holiday Express at the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire’s White Mountains to authentic Polar Express runs at the Cape Cod Central Railroad in Massachusetts!
In Connecticut, the clang clang clang of streetcar bells ring in the holidays on a Special Trolley Ride to Visit Santa at the Shoreline Trolley Museum and at the Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights Trolley at the Connecticut Trolley Museum.
Mid Atlantic
The Mid Atlantic USA lays claim to a number of popular Christmas trains. While a nighttime run adds to the magic of a North Pole train ride for many kids, little sleepyheads can end up missing out on the fun. New Jersey’s Cape May Seashore Line and Pennsylvania’s Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad solve the problem with both daytime and after-dark Santa trains.
In Delaware, Santa isn’t the only attraction at the Wilmington & Western Railroad, where twinkling lights illuminate the route of the Holiday Lights Express. And Christmas Tree Trains at Pennsylvania’s Northern Central Railway and Strasburg Rail Road turn finding the perfect tree into a memorable adventure.
Southern USA
It’s a long way from the sunny south to the North Pole but Southern USA railroads go the distance. North Carolina’s Tweetsie Railroad brings it all together with a steam train ride and visits with Santa in his gingerbread house while down-state fans of the film can climb aboard for an authentic Polar Express experience at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
Elsewhere across the South, the SAM Shortline Excursion Train‘s Candy Cane Train is a holiday treat in Georgia while Santa visits with every child on board the South Carolina Railroad Museum‘s Rockton, Rion and Western Railroad.
Midwest USA
Jingles and Kringles are in ample supply aboard the Midwest USA ‘s railroads where the unique lineup of Christmas runs range from the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad’s Christmas Pizza Party Train to South Dakota’s one-of-a-kind Holiday Express Spiked – an adults-only respite from hectic holiday prep at Black Hills Central Railroad.
True believers are always within easy reach of the North Pole thanks to Polar Express departures across the Midwest including Illinois’s Monticello Railway Museum and Missouri’s Branson Scenic Railway.
Southwest USA
At holiday time, railways bring Christmas cheer to remote corners of the Southwest USA. At Arizona’s Verde Canyon Railroad, Flurry the Bald Eagle guides a special train along a Magical Christmas Journey to Santa’s Village while the state’s other famous canyon rain ride, the Grand Canyon Railroad hosts the Southwest’s only Polar Express event.
In Texas, hundreds of thousands of lights brighten the way for Victory Camp‘s beloved Christmas Train. And the Oklahoma Railway Museum brings the magic of the Polar Express to OKC.
Western USA
Railroads around the Western USA celebrate Christmas to the max with trainloads of fun! Illuminated displays — and old St. Nick — brighten nights and lighten hearts aboard the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train in California and Colorado’s Royal Gorge Route Railroad. A twilight run to the Pacific coast gives a special glow to the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad‘s Candy Cane Express.
For ‘true believers’ out west, a steady stream of Polar Express excursions await at Colorado’s Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Washington’s Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum.
Canada
Railways in Canada offer just the sort of wintery settings that make Christmas train rides so hard to resist. All’s aglow in British Columbia, where a ride aboard the Bright Nights Christmas Train is a holiday tradition at Vancouver’s Stanley Park Miniature Railway.
In Alberta, a pair of magical Polar Express train adventures unfold across the prairie province at the Alberta Prairie Railway and at Aspen Crossing.
Back east, Ontario’s Port Stanley Terminal Rail is filled with Christmas surprises – including Santa himself!
Christmas is Santa’s busiest season and Santa needs all the help he can get! The best ways Santa’s friends can help him stay on schedule is to buy train tickets as early as possible and arrive early on the day of the event. Be sure to check train day weather and covid advisories… most trains run rain or shine, but severe weather or covid-related mandates may force schedule adjustments. For complete, up-to-date information on Santa Trains in your area, check out the North Pole Trains website.
