Catch a Santa train

Posted by Bill on Monday, November 12, 2007   |   No Comments

Yes, I know it’s early, but sharing a train ride with Santa this time of the year is popular. Really popular. So I wanted to tell you about these trains now so you’ll have plenty of time to make reservations if you want to give your kids or grandkids a special Christmastime treat. But before I do, let me tell you about another special holiday railroad happening.

Every December the Holiday Train, a Christmas project of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, rolls across parts of Canada and the United States. Its purpose is to raise awareness of and collect food and money for local food banks. Decorated with countless holiday lights, this annual rolling celebration visits seven states in this country and six provinces in Canada.

In the eight years the Holiday Train has made its trek, the Canadian Pacific has collected some $3 million dollars and more than a million and a half pounds of food. No wonder more than 1,000 CP employees take part in the annual fundraising journey each year.

This year the Midwest leg of the route, including stops in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, is December 7-17. For details about the Holiday Train’s schedules and the scoop on the entertainers aboard, visit here.

Santa Trains

The Polar Express by Michigan’s own Chris Van Allsburg, has inspired a host of “Polar Express” trains rides all across the country. Most include a storyteller who reads Van Allsburg’s book aloud. And, of course, there are cookies and hot chocolate all around. Some trips feature special gifts and carol singing. The holiday lights visible from the train add to the holiday spirit, and the highlight of every trip is an appearance by Santa. For evening trips, kids are encouraged to wear their PJs.

In the Midwest, you can find Polar Express trips in Illinois (Glen Ellyn, South Elgin and Morton Grove); Indiana (Connersville); Iowa (Mount Pleasant); Michigan (Walled Lake); Minnesota (Duluth); Ohio (Akron/Independence, Dennison) and Wisconsin (Green Bay). For complete details about each of these locations, visit here.

The same site also has information about other Christmas trains in the Midwest. The ones closest to us are those in Michigan, of course: Coopersville, Howell and Walled Lake. But you’ll also find holiday trains running in Monticello, IL; Noblesville and Connersville, IN, and Jefferson, Nelsonville and Lebanon, OH.

If you’re looking to catch a Santa Train nearby, click here or call 616/997-7000. Santa trips for 2007 are scheduled for November 24 and 25 and December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23. Cost is $12.50 for adults and $10 for kids. Those under two years of age are free.

The Coopersville & Marne Railway Company has a number of theme trains throughout the year, including the Bunny Train, the Troop Train, the Michigan History Express, the Great Train Robbery, Summerfest and the Pumpkin Train. And for really memorable outings, you can charter trains for business or social groups.

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