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MAGICAL CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AT STRASBURG RAIL ROAD

a steam engine is sitting on a train track

Celebrate Christmas at Strasburg Rail Road. Our holiday happiness begins when Santa and his helpers arrive and transform the railroad into a magical wonderland filled with classic stories, music and the magic of the season. To help spark your holiday spirit, we’ve compiled some of the top reasons why our Christmas trains should make it to the top of your family to-do list.

Santa’s Paradise Express:

Reason #1, a ride with Santa. What’s Christmas without Santa? Santa Claus has been coming to the Strasburg Rail Road since 1959. Join us for our Santa’s Paradise Express where Santa climbs aboard for a nostalgic 45-minute steam train ride. As a special treat, children ages 11 and under will receive a gift from Santa and his helper as they travel down the tracks to Paradise, PA.

Make sure Santa receives your Christmas list by bringing a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Station. Mrs. Claus will be at the Station from 12 – 4 pm to help you finalize your wish list. We’ll make sure Santa checks his list twice and mails each little boy and girl a special reply.

The Night Before Christmas Train:

Reason #2, story time. Purchase a ticket to our Night Before Christmas Train to hear Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem read aloud as our steam train travels through the night. After listening to this iconic story, passengers aboard our Night Before Christmas Train each can enjoy a special treat of milk and cookies, just like Santa!

What’s even more special than cookies and milk? Knowing your Christmas tradition is helping a good cause. A portion of the proceeds from our Night Before Christmas Train goes towards supporting the Clinic for Special Children, helping little boys and girls with genetic illnesses.

Santa’s Christmas Trolley:

Reason #3, keepsakes. Santa and his chief elf are taking a break from their busy schedule to take a very special trolley ride aboard the Strasburg Rail Road on December 21st! Join us for a magical 45-minute train ride, where you and your family will be up close and personal with Santa Claus himself! Every child (ages 11 and under) will have an opportunity to sit with Santa and have his or her photo taken, which will then be used in the complimentary 5×7 photo keepsake which you can pick up at the station after the cheerful journey.

Holiday Extras:

Reason #4, free extras. It wouldn’t be a traditional Christmas without those classic storybooks we all know and love. Visit our heated stationary Caboose where children will be treated to storybook readings of holiday classics. And visitors of all ages can enjoy a ride aboard the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motorcar, back at the station. These festive extras are FREE with the purchase of your ticket.

Shopping:

Reason #5, gifts. Stock up on souvenir gifts for the family at any of our three stores located at the Station. We have a wide selection of gifts, books, toys and apparel in our two gift shops. Our toy store offers a huge selection of Thomas-themed merchandise to make Christmas extra-special for all of your little engineers.

The holidays are all about family fun and creating memories, and you can do just that at any one of our unique and specialized events. So, come celebrate the magic of Christmas at Strasburg Rail Road and start a new holiday tradition; we just know you’ll have an unforgettable experience filled with holiday spirit and fun! Don’t delay though, tickets sell rapidly for these family-favorite events. Purchase your tickets here.