Special Train Rides: Christmas, Thomas & More

Do you have a child who loves trains?  Besides the Memphis Train & Trolley Museum (EMM Review), there are several places you can travel to enjoy trains with your kids.

Grenada Railway
Batesville, MS

The Polar Express – Picture the excitement of children dressed in pajamas with golden tickets clutched in their hands as they board the train and prepare to embark on their journey to the North Pole. Dancing chefs will serve hot cocoa and cookies to all riders in a merry fashion as the doubting hobo wanders through the train. The train stops where children will behold the magic of the North Pole from their warm train seats. With a jolly “Ho, ho, ho” Santa waves to everyone and climbs aboard where he will greet each child and present them with the iconic silver sleigh bell (only believers can hear its ringing). Christmas carols will be sung as we return back to the station after a memorable ride that sets the tone for the whole holiday season.

Here’s our big post on the Grenada Railway.

Tennessee Central Railway System
Nashville

North Pole Express Excursion – Come ride with Santa on Tennessee Central Railway Museum’s Santa Express excursion trains from Nashville to Lebanon and back. Two weekends in December

• Totally worth the trip and money. Pack snacks and drinks!
• We did it 2 years ago with a 4 and 2 year old and I wasn’t overly impressed. We were already in the area visiting family, but I don’t know if I would recommend the drive just for that.
• So fun and worth the money. Take your own snacks and water/it’s hard to access the food car

Easter Bunny Excursion – Come ride with the Easter Bunny on Tennessee Central Railway Museum’s classic traditional American streamlined passenger train to Watertown! In Watertown there are Easter Egg hunts for children of all ages. Bring your cameras so you can take pictures with the Easter Bunny on the train!

Train Robbery Express – The Mackle and Wilson Gangs are on the loose again! Rumors are they will attempt to hold up the Excursion Train en route to Watertown and then maybe even raid Watertown itself! Here’s your chance to ride along and see how true these rumors are

Day Out with Thomas – a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at regional heritage railroads across the country.

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Birmingham, AL

Pumpkin Patch Express – 90 minutes, including time in the pumpkin patch

North Pole Express – 1 hour 15 min train ride that arrives in the North Pole.  Wear your PJs!

Santa Special – Santa rides the train with you!  Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he poses for photos. Bring your camera!  Each child will receive a Christmas gift!

Saturday Excursions

Cottontail Express – Hop aboard for a ride to Peter Cottontail’s meadow. Join in the fun as we hunt for Easter eggs – you might win a prize. Jumpstation, temporary tattoos, coloring, and sandbox provide lots of fun.

Day Out with Thomas – All little engineers are invited to take a 25-minute train ride with Thomas! The fun-filled family experience includes photos with Sir Topham Hatt, putt-putt golf, maze, jumpstation, petting zoo, bubble station, temporary tattoos, storytelling, videos, live music and hands-on fun in the Imagination Station! Purchase delicious food from vendors on site, or bring your own picnic!

More: Mother’s & Father’s Day events, Independence Day event, Wild West Day (July), Pumpkin Patch Express

• I did b ham last year and I thought it was pretty terrible! My friend and I laughed and wondered why everyone lies about how great it is on facebook(-: my then 3 year old says ” this isn’t the North Pole mama – there is no snow “(-: he had a point
• we drove 4 hours to Birmingham and I was kind of shocked at how little there was to it. If you lived there or close, it would be a something to do but I would never drive there for it. All my boys love trains and all and it was just not worth it.
• I did the Calera / B’ham one when my kids were four and two. We did not make a special trip to do it, but on our way to Montgomery for Christmas. They enjoyed it . If I remember correctly, i think they read the story, they pass out cookies, hot chocolate, bells – Santa and mrs Claus come thru and visit w all the kids.). The “north pole” was pretty lame although my kids at their ages did not realize it. You go forward to the north pole; stop in front of the north pole (basically a bunch of lights in the woods) and then go backwards back to the station. My kids thought it was all “real” but they were toddlers! And this was eight years ago, so it may have changed!!!!
• Since Im from bham, we went and it was sooo low budget….i surely wouldn’t drive from V’burg to do it! Now i do have friends who made a fun weekend out of it, stayed at Ross bridge with several couples etc…they enjoyed the whole weekend experience! But i wasn’t impressed with the Calera one!!
• I’ve taken my kids to the one in Birmingham. We loved it!! Santa came thru the train and took pictures with each family, and sat and talked to the kids about what they wanted. My boys really enjoyed it and so did I.

Tennessee Valley Railroad
Chattanooga

North Pole Limited – In November and December, trains take riders on an imaginary journey to the North Pole. Along the way, you’ll be treated to refreshments, storytelling, and occasional sing-a-longs. As the train gently rolls down the rails, a number of lighted displays can be seen outside. Once the train pulls into the “North Pole”, a special guest boards for a visit. During the return ride, Santa makes his way through the train cars to greet every child and presents a keepsake item to all the children.

My family did the one in Chattanooga 2 years ago. We made a weekend out of it and had a blast! Well worth it. Booked through the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel.

Day Out with Thomas – a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at regional heritage railroads across the country.

• We’ve done the Chattanooga one a few times and it was great! We did a package deal with the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel. They have a little “elf workshop” at the hotel where the children can make crafts, etc. We drove out to the “train station” where it left from and we thought it was done pretty well. Our girls loved it and got plenty of time with Santa for pictures once we got to the North Pole. Good luck!
• In Chattanooga some train hobbists have made an interesting model that is good to see. You can also sleep in a real train car
• We did this weekend package in Chattanooga. It was a fantastic weekend. We had a blast–the aquarium, Rock City lights, the elf workshop, the elf tuck-in, etc. I probably would only do it if you could do this package and make sure you request to sleep in one of the Victorian train cars.
• The Chattanooga one was cute. Took my daughter and her friend. Santa came through train cars and talked to the kids. I recorded it but it messed up when Santa started talking. She thought it was magic. She still talks about it so totally worth it
• We went to Chattanooga’s Polar Express 2 years ago. My son was 2 at the time & obsessed w trains. It was super cute & he loved it! We stayed at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel & our room was an actual train car. The Polar Express was a real train to the “North Pole” with a train conductor, kids go in pj’s, they give “hot chocolate”, Santa comes through to talk to & take pictures with each child … It was magical!
• Chattanoogas polar express is wonderful!! we did it every year with our kids before moving out here.
• We have done the Chattanooga one twice. Our boys loved it.

Arkansas Missouri Railroad
Fort Smith, AR to Monett, MO

Children’s Christmas Train – Traditionally held on the first Saturday of December, this fundraiser is always a big hit! Enjoy a Winter Wonderland of activities outside of our Springdale depot including pony rides, carnival games and concessions. Then climb aboard the train for an exciting train ride with Santa. Tickets do sell out quickly for this event, so be sure to reserve your tickets early (we recommend no later than October/November).

Holiday Express PJ Trains – Bring your kids and family to ride the train in their PJ’s from Springdale to Winslow. Train leaves at 6pm and returns at approx 9:15 pm. Special activities include a visit from Santa, caroling and other surprises.

Winter & Spring Excursions – A scenic trip with narration

National Train Day – Saturday closest to May 10th. Bring your kids and train lovers down to the train depot in Historic Downtown Van Buren to celebrate National Train Day.  National Train Day is celebrated each year on the Saturday closest to May 10th, the anniversary of the pounding of the Golden Spike in Promontory, Utah which marked the completion of the first transcontinental railroad.  Join the celebration by bringing your kids for a short train ride, view model railroad displays and other working railroad equipment.

Mothers & Fathers Day Train Rides

Frisco Fest – August. Bring your family to ride the train during Frisco Festival in Historic Downtown Rogers, AR.  This popular community event offers great entertainment, contests, car shows and more! You can park at our depot in Springdale and ride the train to Rogers, where you will debark to enjoy all the fun and activities, and then return to Springdale  later in the day.  Or you can come by our booth located at the corner of First and Popular to ride the train round trip from Rogers to Springdale.

Branson Scenic Railway
Branson, MO

Polar Express

• We do Branson every year. We started when my son was 2-3 and now he is 6. Worth every penny in my opinion!!! Silver Dollar City there in Branson is decorated and fun and you can find lots of great house rentals on vrbo.com.
• We went to the polar express last year in Branson. It was fun for littler kids. Kind of expensive. My 5 year old said the North Pole was not the real North Pole. Santa that came through the train was awesome.