Santa Claus is coming to ride The New Hope Valley Railway!

The New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR) presents its annual Holiday Santa Trains the first two weekends in December departing from its rail yard located in Bonsal, N.C., just 10-minutes south of Apex off of U.S. Highway 1, Exit 89.

Santa and his helper will visit each open-air passenger car pulled by either a diesel or steam locomotive. Children will get a treat and the opportunity to talk with Santa. The train, along with other areas of the railroad, will be decorated for the holidays during the hour-long excursion.“Riding a real train with Santa Claus is a fun and memorable way to celebrate the holidays,” says NHVR President Mike MacLean. “It’s a special time for families as well as our volunteers who help bring smiles to children’s faces.”

Purchase tickets online at www.TriangleTrain.com or at the train yard the day of the ride. Holiday Santa Trains will be operating on Saturday, Dec. 1; Sunday, Dec. 2; Saturday, Dec. 8; and Sunday, Dec. 9.

Diesel train rides will be departing at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and steam train rides at 12:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children, ages 2-12. NHVR recommends arriving at the train yard 30 minutes before the listed departure time.

Learn more by visiting www.TriangleTrain.com or www.facebook.com/TriangleTrain.

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All Aboard The Polar Express At GSMR!

Over 42,000 passengers rode The Polar Express™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2011 and we hope to see you this year! The 1 ¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole.

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the “North Pole” to find Santa Claus waiting.

Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot. THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 9^th and operates through December 30^th. View the 2012 departure schedule here!

For more information, visit: http://www.gsmr.com/create-content/event/polar-express/polar-express-0

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Handy Dandy Railroad in Denton: Country Christmas Train 2012!

Nov. 24: Nov. 30 – Dec. 2; Dec. 7 – 9; 13 – 16; 20 – 23; 27 – 29, 2012

Park Opens: 5:00 pm

Train Rides begin at 5:30pm with the last train leaving at 9:00

Caroleers are a vibrant acapella group based at Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church in Thomasville. Authentic costumes dating from the 1880’s allow listeners to be transported back in time as they listen to familiar carols like Silent Night, children’s songs like Rudolph, and seasonal favorites like White Christmas. Since 1994, the group has logged over thirty performances at Biltmore House in Asheville, sung at Chinqua Penn Plantation in Reidsville and has performed for numerous functions from banquets to nursing homes.

We have added 2 new passenger cars, therefore, we can ride an additional 100 people per train ride.  We are putting a new exhibit in the service station with antique toys and Coke memorabilia.  We are planning on having a horse drawn wagon ride to the Reid Plantation and having the blacksmith, slave kitchen and main house open.

DENTON FARM PARK
Park Opens: 5:30-9:00 pm
Train Rides begin at 6:00pm

Every 30 minutes the train will leave the station with the last train leaving at 8:00 pm.  If demand is high then we will run the last train at 8:30.

For more, visit: http://www.countrychristmastrain.com

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The Polar Express at Great Smoky Mountains Railroad!

Welcome to The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad where you can see the Smokies in Style! We are located in the heart of Bryson City, North Carolina. Your journey begins in Bryson City! Our scenic rail excursions takes you from our historic depot through the beautiful countryside of Western North Carolina. Our variety of train excursions and special event trains makes us perfect for making memories with your friends and families! Dine in our First Class Cars with a private attendant and breathtaking views or take it all in while riding in an open air gondola! Step on board for your next rail adventure!

Reservations Line: 800-872-4681
Group Sales: 800-872-4681 x3

Experience the Magic this season…. http://www.gsmr.com/

 

All Aboard The Polar Express!

Book Your Golden Ticket to Ride The Polar Express™
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will delight passengers who take the memorable one-hour journey to an imaginary North Pole. The event is inspired by the Warner Bros. motion picture and the award winning book by Chris Van Allsburg. Bring the whole family and experience the magic of THE POLAR EXPRESS and read along with the story as the train makes its round trip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot cocoa & a treat. And, for those who BELIEVE, a special momento from Santa for each child. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas!

Dates & Times:
November 5, 11, 12, 14, & 18 departs at 6:30pm
November 6, 13, 21, 23, 24, & 28 departs at 5:00pm & 6:30pm
November 19, 20, 26, & 27 departs at 5:00pm, 6:30pm, & 8:00pm
December 1, & 8 departs 6:30pm
December 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 24 departs at 5:00pm & 6:30pm
Dec 2 & 9 (Homes School Day) 11am departure
December 3, & 10 departs at 11:00am, 5:00pm, 6:30pm, & 8:00pm
December 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, & 23 departs at 5:00pm, 6:30pm, & 8:00pm
December 4, 11, & 18 departs at 2:00pm, 3:30pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm, & 8:00pm

Polar Express Tickets
Family First Class Seating – Guests will receive a deluxe serving of hot chocolate in a souvenir Polar Express mug, and enjoy short breads and other treats in addition to the standard offerings and a special momento from Santa. Adults $59, Children ages 2-12 $41. Children under 2 $10 (no mug).

Crown Class Seating – Guests will receive a deluxe serving of hot chocolate in a souvenir Polar Express tumbler and a special momento from Santa. Adults $49, Children ages 2-12 $36. Children under 2 $10 (no tumbler).

Coach Class Seating – Guests will receive a serving of hot chocolate and a special momento from Santa. Adults $39, Children ages 2-12 $26. Children under 2 ride complimentary, but must be seated in an adult’s lap. Premium rates may apply to select dates. For more information and reservations please call (800)872.4681 or visit us online at http://www.GSMR.com.

Christmas Eve “Limited” Polar Express Train
All Christmas Eve Limited passengers will receive an exclusive souvenir Golden Ticket necklace lanyard and a special momento from Santa.

Family First Class Seating – Guests will receive an exclusive souvenir Golden Ticket Necklace Lanyard, a deluxe serving of hot chocolate in a souvenir Polar Express mug, and enjoy short breads and other treats in addition to the standard offerings and a special momento from Santa.

Standard Seating – Guests will receive an exclusive souvenir Golden Ticket Necklace Lanyard, a serving of hot chocolate and a special momento from Santa. Adults $50, Children $37. Children under 2 ride complimentary, but must be seated in an adult’s lap. Premium rates may apply to select dates.

Visitors who ride aboard The Polar Express™ Train Ride will also receive FREE admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. Without train excursion admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children. For more information and reservations please call (800)872.4681.

Book now:
For tickets, more information and directions contact the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at (800) 872-4681

Visit: http://gsmr.com/events/Polar_Express.php

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Get To Know…Train Artist, Andy Fletcher!

Andy Fletcher’s career as an artist started early. He began drawing trains—one of his first loves—from his own photos when he was still in school. All of his drawings are done by hand with a pencil and watercolor pens. Andy’s first engine to draw was BN’s 1991 “DESERT STORM” SD60M.

Then in 1992, Burlington Northern Railroad asked him to design their popular SD70MAC Executive color scheme. Altogether, Andy has drawn over 1,500 trains, from steam to modern diesel and cars, cabooses and other equipment. He has been commissioned to paint trains for railroads, railroad historical societies and museums.

Andy has epilepsy and was unable to draw from 2001-2007. During his hiatus from drawing trains, he did some watercolor paintings, but as soon as he was able, he came back to trains. People often ask, “Why trains?” and the answer is he just loves them.

He feels rewarded by the joy his drawings have brought others. His magnets and prints make great gifts and promotional items. If you are interested in having Andy draw a piece of equipment you can e-mail him for more information.

Here are a couple of excerpts from Andy:

Rocky Mount, North Carolina.  The year is 1952.  Spring is in the air.  The engineer blasts two sounds of whistle and the Atlantic Coast Line Florida Special gives its 7:10pm highball.  The train gains momentum.  Eager passengers await their vacations and loved ones along the southward trek.  Onto Fayetteville and Florence, through the night the Special rolls, onto its 11:25am arrival in Miami.

Coal Runs on Norfolk Southern’s Winston Salem District. One hundred cars of coal roll at Belews Creek, NC.  This is Norfolk Southern’s Winston-Salem District.  A pair of SD70M-2’s keep the southbound unit train on time as it rolls from Roanoke. Coal from the Appalachians rolls to the Carolinas.  Coal to power industry.  Coal to light the cities, to power the South.  Norfolk Southern rolls coal into North Carolina.  This is railroading on the Winston-Salem District.

To learn more about Andy Fletcher and to order prints, magnets, etc…..visit his incredible website at http://customtrains.org.

To order Andy’s book, “The ABC’s of America’s Railroads” …CLICK HERE! 

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Riding the rails for holiday travel is up this year

By Denis Cuff
Contra Costa Times

George and Georgia Schumann needed to get across America to spend Christmas with their daughter in Fayetteville, N.C., but they weren’t keen about the rigors of a drive or the hustle and bustle and sardine-can packing of an airline flight.

“My husband likes to “… stretch in his seat. It’s not easy to do in a plane,” Georgia Schumann said. “And we both like the window seat.”

So, the retired couple from San Pablo rode the train, an option that more Americans are choosing this year for the holidays.

Amtrak train ridership nationwide rose 4 percent to a record 659,184 passengers during Thanksgiving week, while airline ridership declined slightly and auto holiday travel was up.

All three types of travel are expected to increase over the next two weeks with the Christmas and New Year’s holidays as travel rebounds along with a partial recovery of consumer confidence, according to a poll commissioned by the American Automobile Association.

“We’re starting to see a rebound after some dismal years for travel,” said Cynthia Harris, a AAA spokeswoman in Northern California. “Train travel is a strong part of that rebound trend.”

Some train users said the rail’s relaxed pace draws them into the coaches. Others say they appreciate the nostalgia of a travel mode that helped settle and develop the nation before losing ground to cars and planes.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

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Santa Train Chugs Along in Spencer

Source: Salisbury Post

By Hugh Fisher – hfisher@salisburypost.com

SPENCER — He’s making a list, and checking it twice, but not on a sleigh with snow and ice.

Santa Claus is taking the train to town.

With festive decorations aboard, the Santa Train’s been running at the N.C. Transportation Museum for the last two weekends.

Santa and his elves board to pass out treats and talk to each child and family.

“You kids stay sweet and smart,” Santa Claus said to Chloe and Cameron Mullinax of Mount Pleasant.

“Santa’s going to visit you real soon!”

Their mom, Christy Mullinax, has been bringing her daughters to Spencer for the Santa Train for years.

Chloe, who’s 3 years old this Christmas, smiled while one of the volunteers took her picture with Santa, her sister and her mom.

Cameron, who’s 7, had a long wish list ready for Santa:

“A DVD player that sits on your lap and a (Nintendo) DSi,” she said, among other things.

“You think he’s got enough time to get all that together?” Christy asked with a smile.

Cameron smiled and nodded. “He got my letter!”

Families from as far off as Shelby and Winston-Salem were among the riders sharing wishes with Santa yesterday afternoon.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

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Interactive Christmas Greetings from Norfolk Southern!

This is actually a year old, but I just had to re-post it. Model railroaders of all ages will love this. What a cool interactive Christmas card from our friends at Norfolk Southern.

Visit Norfolk Southen: http://www.nscorp.com.

Click on the image below to open the card in a separate window….Enjoy!

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The Polar Express – Underway at The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

 The Polar Express at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Departs Bryson City

“All Aboard” says the conductor, as your train ride begins. Families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with cocoa and cookies served on board the train, followed by a reading of The Polar Express™ by Chris Van Allsburg.

Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa will greet the children and each child will receive their own jingle bell, just like in the story. There will be caroling on board the train as your trip returns to the depot. This is a holiday ride the entire family will enjoy.

Ticket prices start at $38.00 for adults and $26.00 for children ages 2-12.

Children under two years old ride complimentary, but must be seated in an adult’s lap. Premium rates may apply to select dates. For more information and reservations please call 800-872-4681 or visit us online at www.GSMR.com.
 
First Class seating upgrades are available. Each first class guest will receive a deluxe serving of hot chocolate in a souvenir Polar Express mug, and enjoy short breads and other treats in addition to the standard offerings. First Class fares are $57.00 for adults and $40.00 for children ages 2-12. Children under two years old are $10.00.

Call for reservations and details:
1-800-872-4681
www.gsmr.com
www.polarexpressride.com

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