If the idea of taking a train ride to see Santa at the North Pole appeals to you, you may just want to check out the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish.
The North Pole Express doesn’t exactly live up to its name, as it rumbles at 15 mph along railroad tracks originally installed more than a century ago.
And the North Pole it’s heading to is a lot less chilly than Santa’s usual digs.
But this attraction, about 35 miles south of Tampa, is likely to delight passengers of any age as they board the train at the Parrish train station and roll along 6.5 miles of track to visit Santa.
As the train chugs down the tracks, carolers stroll through the cars, singing holiday favorites.
The North Pole Express is just one of the special offerings presented through the railroad museum, which aims to preserve the history of railroading. The museum offers old-fashioned train rides throughout the year, hosts several special events, and allows patrons to pay to drive a locomotive or host a private party in a caboose.
But the North Pole Express is one of the museum’s biggest hits each year, stationmaster Heather Vick said. Tickets typically sell out almost as soon as they become available.
But this year, the museum added another car to the train to accommodate more passengers.
The North Pole Express only travels on select nights during the holiday season, Vick said. It can accommodate about 475 people each trip.
After making the half-hour trek, passengers enter a holiday village decked out with seasonal lights. Once there, kids can learn how to make reindeer food, passengers can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and nibble on cookies, and visitors can enjoy bonfires burning brightly in the night.
The highlight, of course, is Santa.
Passengers are invited to bring along cameras to capture memories of their train ride, the North Pole, and their visit with Santa Claus, Vick said. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas on the train ride. It helps to enliven a sense of holiday magic.
If you go
WHAT: North Pole Express
WHEN: Dec. 4 through Dec. 7; Dec. 11 through Dec. 14; and Dec. 18 through Dec. 22, with departures at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
WHERE: Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., in Parrish
COST: Range from $24-$59 for adults, and $20-$52 for children up to 11. Prices vary on select dates.
INFO: Call (941) 776-0906, or visit FRRM.org.Other train rides
Old-fashioned train rides are offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, most of the year.
Other upcoming events that may be of interest:
• Hobo Campfire on Jan. 24 and Feb. 7
• Hole in the Head Gang, Feb. 7 and Feb. 8
• Murder Mystery Dinner Train on Feb. 14, Feb, 20, Feb. 21, Feb. 22, Feb. 27, Feb. 28, March 1, March 6, March 7 and March 8
• Chili Cook Off, March 7
• Day Out with Thomas, March 14, March 15, March 21 and March 22.
Published December 3, 2014
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