Santa’s Paradise Express is about to pull out of the station.
The popular holiday train ride features Christmas carolers, brass horns and a personal visit with Santa during its 45-minute journey through the Amish countryside.
Festivities will begin as soon as the visitor reaches the train platform, said Kathy Gochenaur, Strasburg Rail Road’s Christmas coordinator. Carolers will be strolling past the shops, all of which have been decorated with lights, ornaments and metal Christmas stars fabricated at the railroad’s own workshop. Two metal Star Trees, also made on site, will be on display.
A heated rail coach on a siding will be the home for holiday story-telling, and visitors may go inside the J tower, an old switching tower, for a bird’s-eye view of the approaching train long before it enters the station.
Inside the ticket office will be a display of old photos and decorations from Christmases past, on loan from the National Christmas Center.
On the train, which consists of six coaches, a dining car and a first-class parlor coach, more carolers will stroll car-to-car, as will a pair of brass horn players.
Starting from the opposite end of the train, Santa will make his way along, saying “hi” to all the children and handing a gift to those between ages 3 and 11. The singers, musicians and Santa, will all pass each other as they traverse the train.
“That way everybody, at some point during their trip on the railroad, will see Santa Claus, the carolers and hear the horn players,” Gochenaur said.
Carols will be sung by two groups, all high school students — the Madrigal Singers from Lampeter-Strasburg High School and a group of home-schooled students. Each ensemble will feature 10 to 12 voices.
“They’re a delight to hear,” Gochenaur said.
Each car will be heated by a pot-belly stove and decorated for Christmas, with the parlor coach being the most festive, with a live tree and lights.
All times are approximate.
Click here for our Departure Locations
Departing from Frederick MD at 8:00am.
We will depart from Skate Frederick Parking lot on Riverbend Way rear of Wal-Mart Rte 26 Frederick.
Departing from Hagerstown MD at 7:15am.
We will depart from MTA ParknRide Col. Douglas Dr off of Rt 65 Sharpsburg Pike across from the Sleep Inn between Wendy's and the MVA.
Lunch will be served on the Santa Express.
Returning to Frederick at 7:30pm
Returning to Hagerstown at 8:15pm.