Sometimes, you can make the most fun-filled discoveries close to home. Recently, I wanted to check out the various train stations that offered trips to Christmas villages, and other holiday themed park. There are quite a few in Connecticut.
For instance, I had heard about the North Pole Express in Essex. Children climbed aboard a locomotive-powered sleigh and journeyed to a fanciful and imaginative rendering of the North Pole. Every coach offered a musical performance of “The Night Before Christmas” and children enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies and even got to meet Santa. The Connecticut Trolley Museum offers trolley rides through a tunnel of lights in East Windsor, which never fails to light up the holiday. There’s also the Santa Express at the Railroad Museum of New England located in Thomaston. Kids can climb aboard and join Mr. and Mrs. Claus and some friendly elves as they ride the rails for an hour and twenty minutes. They’ll chuck along the Naugatuck River and spend some quality time with Santa and family, too. The Shore Line Trolley Museum, located in East Haven has its own spin on the holiday express. Guests ride in a cozy, heated trolley to visit Santa. Refreshments, a model train layout and a special gift from Santa are all included in this ride. You also might want to spring for the Holiday Spirit! This is an illuminated night trolley. After looking at all the wonderful opportunities families and children had for a Christmas train ride, I discovered that right in Danbury there was a wonderful Railroad Museum.
The Danbury Railway Museum features Santa’s Rail Yard and a vintage train to Santa’s Toyland. Every Saturday and Sunday, the trains depart every half hour from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for age 2 and over. Children under 2 ride free. The trip includes a train ride in the rail yard that lasts about 20 minutes. There’s a free gift such as a coloring book for the children, and there’s a visit with Santa in Toyland.
There are also exhibits in a restored 1903 station and rail yard, operating layouts, and displays. There’s a coloring station, temporary tattoos and much more. One of the highlights of the trip and new this year is visiting Santa’s Workshop where children can watch the elves make toys.
I spoke with Patty Osmer, the treasurer and gift shop manager of the Danbury-based rail yard museum. She told me that there’s a real engineer at the helm of the train and he always uses the train’s steam whistle. “We have a special railroad coach with Santa and a railroad car decorated like Toyland,” she explained. “Hundreds of children come every year and it’s quite a special event. Frosty the Snowman greets the kids as they enter Santa’s workshop.”
All the people involved with the museum are volunteers, so this event is a labor of love. Reservations are recommended and I’m told that if you want to avoid the crowds that 2:30 p.m. is the best time to arrive. Santa’s Rail Yard is located across from the Patriot Garage, where parking is available. To reserve tickets, call: (203) 778-8337.
Tags: holiday