30 Years of Family Holiday Traditions with Santa on Full-Sized Trains
(Bonsal, N.C., October 29, 2025) — For three decades, families from across the Triangle and beyond have begun their holiday season aboard the Santa Express train rides at New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR). This year, the tradition continues with festive decorations, seasonal treats, and a visit from Santa himself on every train ride.
Departing on Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, and 20, 2025, Santa Express offers passengers a one-hour scenic journey through the woods of New Hill, decorated with twinkling lights and holiday cheer.
Santa will ride along to greet passengers and families may even spot a friendly wave from Frosty the Snowman and other holiday characters along the route and in the rail yard.
“For 30 years, our Santa Express train rides have combined the charm of a full-sized historic locomotive with the magic of the holiday season,” said John Morck, president of the North Carolina Railway Museum, one of dozens of volunteers who help operate the rides. “Many families make a visit to the Triangle Train their annual holiday tradition.”
Each holiday ride day features a lineup of local food trucks offering passengers a meal and chance to warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, and sweet treats before or after their train ride. Food truck purchases are separate from train ticket costs.
Santa Express train tickets are $18.61 each for everyone ages 2 and up. Children under age 2 who sit on an adult’s lap without a seat of their own, ride for free. Limited tickets are also available for NHVR’s warm and cozy caboose rentals.
Tickets and event details (including food trucks) are available at www.TriangleTrain.com.
2025 Santa Express Ride Schedule
- Saturday, December 6 – 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
- Sunday, December 7 – 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday, December 13 – 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
- Sunday, December 14 – 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday, December 20 – 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:45 p.m.
About the New Hope Valley Railway
New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR), the Triangle’s Train, is the operating division of the North Carolina Railway Museum, Inc. NHVR straddles the historic towns of Bonsal and New Hill, North Carolina, 30-minutes southwest of Raleigh, off U.S. Highway 1, Exit 89.
A full-sized locomotive pulls open-air, covered passenger cars through the woods for a one-hour scenic ride. Fully enclosed caboose cars are also available on ride days for rent as a ticket option for groups. The 501(c)(3) organization was chartered in 1983 as the East Carolina Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and soon began its all-volunteer operated public train ride days. Also available are opportunities to operate a locomotive and rent a stationary birthday party caboose. While in the rail yard, be sure to visit the North Carolina Railway Museum cars, the Garden Railroad (G Scale/miniature railroad) and gift shop. Learn more at www.TriangleTrain.com or visit Triangle Train Facebook and Instagram pages.
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