Holiday Trains Are Fun For All Ages

Michael C. Upton Arts & Leisure Writer

Trains became synonymous with Christmas as a means of travel during the Golden Age of railroading. Today, volunteers and spirited enthusiasts keep the flywheels turning on independent railways for the entertainment of locals and tourists.

There has been a resurgence of interest in recreational train travel on small rail lines, which has spurred everything from murder mystery dinners on the tracks to luxury wine pairings through scenic countrysides. Beginning in November and up until Christmas Day, many railroads—especially in Pennsylvania—invite guests to climb aboard a holiday train for some old-fashioned, wholesome fun. Pennsylvania offers “the most prolific collection of railroad attractions throughout the country,” says American-Rails.com.

Strasburg Railroad

The most recognizable name in PA trains is the Strasburg Railroad. For the holidays the railroad in Amish Country runs four trains—Santa’s Paradise Express, Night Before Christmas Train, Santa Claus Limited, and a Christmas Tree Train—at various times and days. Ronks, PA www.strasburgrailroad.com/

Stewartstown Railroad

Holiday trains are food drives at Stewartstown Railroad, including the Santa Claus Express, The Grinch Express, and the Ice Princess Special—children are invited to dress up as their favorite princess for photos with the Ice Queen, the Ice Princess, and the Ice Harvester. Let it go and sing along!

Stewartstown, PA

https://stewartstownrailroadco.com/

Northern Central Railway A replica Civil Warera steam locomotive or mid-20th century diesel locomotive is decked out for the holidays for the Santa Express, a leisurely trip from New Freedom to Glen Rock. For one night only the trains become the Glen Rock Carolers Special.

2 W Main St, New Freedom, PA 17349; https:// www.northerncentralrailway.com/

Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad The round-trip Santa Claus Special runs select weekends from Minersville, Tamaqua, and Tunkhannock plus weekends and Christmas Eve from Reading Outer Station and Pittston. Santa visits each ticketholder and seating options from Reading include coach, crown class, and vista dome class with panoramic views. RBM&NR also operates the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway’s Santa Claus Special out of Jim Thorpe.

Reading, PA

www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/santatrains

Jim Thorpe, PA https://www.lgsry.com/

The Stourbridge Line

DL&S Railroad Company runs the 2-hour round-trip Santa Christmas Tree Express three weekends in December, including Christmas Eve, departing from Honesdale. After a one hour visit with Santa aboard the train, passengers can purchase their Christmas tree from Dein Nurseries.

Honesdale, PA

www.thestourbridgeline.net/

Colebrookdale Railroad

Hot chocolate, gifts, chocolate chip cookies, and a few carolers greet guests aboard the Doodlebug to Colebrookdale Grove. Santa’s Polar Bear Express is a one-hour ride with a live reading aboard a train from the golden age of railroading. Colebrookdale also runs ’Twas the Night before Christmas and Snowflake Special trains.

64 S Washington St, Boyertown, PA 19512; https://www. colebrookdalerailroad.com/

Allentown & Auburn Railroad Santa Trains with the big man in red run weekends in December plus Christmas Eve. Hot Chocolate Trains have Santa, too, and he will read the Night Before Christmas while passengers sip hot chocolate and enjoy a cookie.

Kutztown, PA

www.allentownandauburnrailroad.com/

Everett Railroad Company The Santa Express is a one-hour train ride through Central Pennsylvania to Brookes Mills and children enjoy the scenic ride onboard a steam-powered locomotive. Cocoa and cookies are provided, and all children get a small gift from the merry old man himself.

Hollidaysburg, PA https://everettrailroad.com/

East Broad Top Railroad and Rockhill Trolley Museum Christmas in Coal Country runs weekends November through December departing from a beautifully decorated station for a one-hour ride pulled by a 107-year-old steam locomotive. Santa Claus boards the train to