(header photo by Metra)
Midwestern "Santa Trains"The running of Santa Claus/North Pole/Christmas/Holiday Trains that operate in November and December has exploded in popularity. Kids of all ages can enjoy riding or watching special trains all over the country, bringing the holiday spirit to local communities. So how do these events help railroad history preservation? Because they do several things:
|
(photo by HVRM)
|
Many of these organizations also offer other themed rides and events throughout the rest of the year. Easter Bunny, Pumpkin Trains, Ghost Trains, and visits from Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends are widely available and very popular.
We invite you to contact your local Museums and Tourist Railroads to find out who offers what and when.
Is there a train that we left out? Have you found a broken link? Contact us.
We invite you to contact your local Museums and Tourist Railroads to find out who offers what and when.
Is there a train that we left out? Have you found a broken link? Contact us.
We will update this page, to the best of our ability, as we discover or are notified of additions and changes.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the Blackhawk Railway Historical Society is NOT responsible for any of these events, including problems with the event host's websites, ticket ordering, cancellations, delays, and equipment substitutions. This is posted for informational purposes only.
We STRONGLY suggest you personally contact the event operators directly for questions about what they are offering, dates they operate, and and questions about ticket availability. Some events sell out very early.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the Blackhawk Railway Historical Society is NOT responsible for any of these events, including problems with the event host's websites, ticket ordering, cancellations, delays, and equipment substitutions. This is posted for informational purposes only.
We STRONGLY suggest you personally contact the event operators directly for questions about what they are offering, dates they operate, and and questions about ticket availability. Some events sell out very early.
⛄ This page last updated December 24, 2024 ⛄
Multiple StatesCPKC U.S. Holiday Train - multiple locations in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota
"Holiday Train" - popular decorated train stops in select online communities and features a live music show while gathering donations for local food pantries. |
|
Indiana Rail Road - South central and Southwestern Indiana, Southeastern Illinois
"Santa Train" - stops in online communities so local children can visit Santa.
Indiana Northeastern Railroad, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, and the Little River Railroad - multiple locations in Northeast Indiana, Southeastern Michigan, and Western Ohio
"Cameron Christmas Train" - Santa Claus will visit this season the week before Thanksgiving to spread holiday cheer while passing out gifts to families in towns along the route.
"Santa Train" - stops in online communities so local children can visit Santa.
Indiana Northeastern Railroad, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, and the Little River Railroad - multiple locations in Northeast Indiana, Southeastern Michigan, and Western Ohio
"Cameron Christmas Train" - Santa Claus will visit this season the week before Thanksgiving to spread holiday cheer while passing out gifts to families in towns along the route.
Illinois
Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago, IL
"Allstate CTA Holiday Train" - decorated train travels all CTA rail lines beginning in late November through late December as part of regular rail service making all stops.
Chicago Union Station/Amtrak - Chicago, IL
"The Polar Express"
"The Polar Express" - ride to meet Santa at the “North Pole” with onboard sing-alongs. Illinois Railway Museum - Union, IL (northwest suburban McHenry County)
"Happy Holiday Railway" - ride with Santa Claus while enjoying animated light shows and holiday songs, gifts given to children on Santa’s “good list,” rides on historic Chicago streetcars.
Metra (Chicago Commuter Rail) - multiple suburban Chicago, IL locations
"Holiday Trains" - ride specially decorated holiday trains back to their starting point or stay downtown and use holiday train ticket to return on any scheduled train that day.
Monticello Railway Museum - Monticello, IL (between Champaign and Decatur, IL)
"The Polar Express" - read along with the story as the train makes its round-trip journey to the North Pole, meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot chocolate, surprises, and a treat—plus a special gift for each passenger who believes. "Lunch with Santa on the Train" - a train ride, individual visit with Santa, and kid-friendly sack lunch.
"Allstate CTA Holiday Train" - decorated train travels all CTA rail lines beginning in late November through late December as part of regular rail service making all stops.
Chicago Union Station/Amtrak - Chicago, IL
"The Polar Express"
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride | Chicago, IL | The Magic Returns (chicagothepolarexpressride.com)
Cancelled for 2024 due to extensive city street construction around Union Station
Visit PolarExpressRide.com to find officially licensed events throughout the U.S. and Canada
"The Polar Express" - ride to meet Santa at the “North Pole” with onboard sing-alongs. Illinois Railway Museum - Union, IL (northwest suburban McHenry County)
"Happy Holiday Railway" - ride with Santa Claus while enjoying animated light shows and holiday songs, gifts given to children on Santa’s “good list,” rides on historic Chicago streetcars.
Metra (Chicago Commuter Rail) - multiple suburban Chicago, IL locations
"Holiday Trains" - ride specially decorated holiday trains back to their starting point or stay downtown and use holiday train ticket to return on any scheduled train that day.
Monticello Railway Museum - Monticello, IL (between Champaign and Decatur, IL)
"The Polar Express" - read along with the story as the train makes its round-trip journey to the North Pole, meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot chocolate, surprises, and a treat—plus a special gift for each passenger who believes. "Lunch with Santa on the Train" - a train ride, individual visit with Santa, and kid-friendly sack lunch.
Indiana
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society - New Haven (Fort Wayne), IN
"Christmas Caboose" - ride with Santa Claus or charter a private caboose for the entire family. Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society - Pleasant Lake, IN
"Indiana Christmas Train" - extended trip through the winter countryside with Saint Nick aboard. Hesston Steam Museum - Hesston, IN (between Michigan City, IN and New Buffalo, MI)
"Santa's Candy Cane Express" - ride the train, eat at Doc's Soda Fountain, browse gift shop, bring a new toy to receive a train ride ticket for 2025.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum - North Judson, IN (southeast of Valparaiso, IN)
"Santa Trains" - a leisurely journey through the rural landscape and visit Santa, every child receives a special gift. Nickel Plate Express - Noblesville, IN
"Reindeer Express" - during ride, write a special letter to Santa and enjoy a visit with Santa Claus himself. Whitewater Valley Rail Road - Connersville-Metamora, IN (between Indianapolis, IN, and Cincinnati, OH)
"The Polar Express" - during ride enjoy reading of the book and have Golden Ticket punched, Santa and elves board train at North Pole for return trip and visits each family, presenting everyone with the first gift of Christmas."Santa Claus Limited" - during short excursion through the countryside Santa Claus will board train and visit with each family, kids 12 and under will receive a candy cane from Santa.
"Christmas Caboose" - ride with Santa Claus or charter a private caboose for the entire family. Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society - Pleasant Lake, IN
"Indiana Christmas Train" - extended trip through the winter countryside with Saint Nick aboard. Hesston Steam Museum - Hesston, IN (between Michigan City, IN and New Buffalo, MI)
"Santa's Candy Cane Express" - ride the train, eat at Doc's Soda Fountain, browse gift shop, bring a new toy to receive a train ride ticket for 2025.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum - North Judson, IN (southeast of Valparaiso, IN)
"Santa Trains" - a leisurely journey through the rural landscape and visit Santa, every child receives a special gift. Nickel Plate Express - Noblesville, IN
"Reindeer Express" - during ride, write a special letter to Santa and enjoy a visit with Santa Claus himself. Whitewater Valley Rail Road - Connersville-Metamora, IN (between Indianapolis, IN, and Cincinnati, OH)
"The Polar Express" - during ride enjoy reading of the book and have Golden Ticket punched, Santa and elves board train at North Pole for return trip and visits each family, presenting everyone with the first gift of Christmas."Santa Claus Limited" - during short excursion through the countryside Santa Claus will board train and visit with each family, kids 12 and under will receive a candy cane from Santa.
Iowa
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad - Boone, IA
"Santa Express" - a journey from Boone to the North Pole and return. Santa will pass through the train, greeting children, and passing out a special gift.
Midwest Central Railroad - Mt. Pleasant, IA
"North Pole Express" - ride on the Midwest Old Threshers Grounds, be transported to North Pole greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Magical Snow Princess, and Santa’s elves, with many activities.
"Santa Express" - a journey from Boone to the North Pole and return. Santa will pass through the train, greeting children, and passing out a special gift.
Midwest Central Railroad - Mt. Pleasant, IA
"North Pole Express" - ride on the Midwest Old Threshers Grounds, be transported to North Pole greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Magical Snow Princess, and Santa’s elves, with many activities.
Michigan
Coopersville & Marne - Coopersville, MI
"Michigan Santa Train Ride" - all kids get to meet and receive a special gift from Santa and his elves.
Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad - Flint, MI
"Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic" - evening ride on 1800s-themed railroad.
Little River Railroad - Coldwater, MI
"Holiday Express" - steam powered round trip, visit Santa on board.
Steam Railroading Institute - Owosso, MI (between Lansing and Flint, MI)
"North Pole Express" with Pere Marquette #1225 - round trip to Ashley, Michigan for a two-hour Christmas party with live entertainment, get your picture taken in front of the train, and meeting Santa Claus.
"Michigan Santa Train Ride" - all kids get to meet and receive a special gift from Santa and his elves.
Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad - Flint, MI
"Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic" - evening ride on 1800s-themed railroad.
Little River Railroad - Coldwater, MI
"Holiday Express" - steam powered round trip, visit Santa on board.
Steam Railroading Institute - Owosso, MI (between Lansing and Flint, MI)
"North Pole Express" with Pere Marquette #1225 - round trip to Ashley, Michigan for a two-hour Christmas party with live entertainment, get your picture taken in front of the train, and meeting Santa Claus.
- North Pole Express – Steam Railroading Institute (michigansteamtrain.com)
2024 event SOLD OUT, tickets go on sale in late July
Minnesota
Friends of the 261 (Railroading Heritage of Midwest America) - St. Paul, MN
"North Pole Express" - kids write letter to Santa on train ride to North Pole, where Santa boards and greet all the children and collects their letters on return trip.
"North Pole Express" - kids write letter to Santa on train ride to North Pole, where Santa boards and greet all the children and collects their letters on return trip.
Missouri
St. Louis Union Station - St. Louis, MO
"The Polar Express" - decorated trains take riders on a journey to the North Pole as they interact with the Polar Express characters, arrive at the North Pole where Santa Claus boards train and visits every good little boy and girl.
"The Polar Express" - decorated trains take riders on a journey to the North Pole as they interact with the Polar Express characters, arrive at the North Pole where Santa Claus boards train and visits every good little boy and girl.
Wisconsin
East Troy Electric Railroad - East Troy, WI
"Christmas Trains" - daytime and nighttime rides running run from East Troy Depot to Santa's workshop.
"Parade Train" - decorated train running from Elegant Farmer to East Troy for Christmas Tree lighting.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum - North Freedom (Wisconsin Dells), WI
"Santa Express" - ride an early 1900s Christmas adventure, Santa visits every family while Santa’s elves give small gifts for the children.
National Railroad Museum - Green Bay, WI
"The Polar Express" - begins with a cup of hot chocolate and a dramatic reading of the book, Santa will visit with some of the passengers on the train or at the North Pole.
Steam Locomotive Heritage Association's Soo Line #1003 - Hartford, WI
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the caboose and inspect their 1913-built locomotive under steam.
Wisconsin Great Northern - Spooner, WI
"Santa Pizza Train" - includes ride, a personal pizza and your first beverage, a visit with Santa in his private car for great photo opportunities, and a holiday cookie with hot chocolate on the return trip."Holiday Wine Train" - an adults-only lounge car to each of the "Santa Pizza Trains" includes a holiday wine from Door Peninsula Winery, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, soft holiday music, traditional decorations, and probably even a toast with Santa.
"Christmas Trains" - daytime and nighttime rides running run from East Troy Depot to Santa's workshop.
"Parade Train" - decorated train running from Elegant Farmer to East Troy for Christmas Tree lighting.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum - North Freedom (Wisconsin Dells), WI
"Santa Express" - ride an early 1900s Christmas adventure, Santa visits every family while Santa’s elves give small gifts for the children.
National Railroad Museum - Green Bay, WI
"The Polar Express" - begins with a cup of hot chocolate and a dramatic reading of the book, Santa will visit with some of the passengers on the train or at the North Pole.
Steam Locomotive Heritage Association's Soo Line #1003 - Hartford, WI
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the caboose and inspect their 1913-built locomotive under steam.
Wisconsin Great Northern - Spooner, WI
"Santa Pizza Train" - includes ride, a personal pizza and your first beverage, a visit with Santa in his private car for great photo opportunities, and a holiday cookie with hot chocolate on the return trip."Holiday Wine Train" - an adults-only lounge car to each of the "Santa Pizza Trains" includes a holiday wine from Door Peninsula Winery, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, soft holiday music, traditional decorations, and probably even a toast with Santa.