Santa Trains will provide Christmas and winter fun on Saturdays from mid-November and into December at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson. Ride in a vintage commuter coach, vintage deluxe coach, or former business car through the wintry countryside for approximately five miles from the depot to the small town of English Lake. After crossing the Kankakee River, the train returns to the depot and museum grounds. During the trip, passengers will enjoy visiting with Santa, and each child and toddler will receive a gift bag.
Diesel-powered trains depart on Saturdays, November 22, November 29, and December 6, 13, and 20 at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM (Central Time). Each excursion lasts approximately 1 hour. Ticket prices begin at $20.00 and are pro-rated based on age and car options. Passengers can choose between coach and first class. First-class seating options include booking the entire former business car for private groups, suites for up to 3 people, or general lounge seating.
Purchasing tickets online is recommended, as trains have sold out in past years. Seating is restricted to allow Santa enough time to visit and take pictures with all the passengers. Purchase tickets at www.hoosiervalley.org.
Before or after the train excursion, be sure to visit the museum and grounds, where admission is always free. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is located at the former crossroads of the Pennsylvania, Chesapeake & Ohio, Erie, and New York Central Railroads. HVRM has one of the largest collections of working railroad signals. Stroll around the grounds to see all types of memorabilia, rolling stock, and engines of a bygone era.
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and education of railroad history. The museum is open year-round on Saturdays and on select Sundays. Regular train excursions are from May through September. Special event train excursions are held before Easter, during October, and before Christmas.
Visit the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum website (www.hoosiervalley.org) for a complete schedule of events, dates, and train departure times. Order tickets online or call the depot (574-896-3950) on Saturdays, 9-3 Central Time.
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