Virginia's Legendary Santa Trains: A Holiday Tradition by Donna Strother Deekens

For over a century, Virginia's Santa trains have been a beloved holiday tradition for families across the Commonwealth. These special trains, adorned with festive decorations and carrying Jolly Old Saint Nick himself, offer a magical way to celebrate the holiday season.

The tradition of Santa trains in Virginia began in 1911, when the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) ran its first "Santa Special" from Roanoke to Bristol. The train was an instant success, and soon other railroads in Virginia began offering their own Santa trains.

Today, several railroads in Virginia still operate Santa trains, including the Norfolk Southern Railway, the CSX Transportation, and the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. These trains typically run on weekends in December, and they make stops at various towns and cities along their routes.

Virginia's Legendary Santa Trains

by Donna Strother Deekens

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10676 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	193 pages

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Families can purchase tickets to ride the Santa train, and they are welcome to bring their own food and drinks on board. The trains are typically decorated with Christmas lights and other festive decorations, and they often feature live music and entertainment.

Of course, the highlight of the Santa train experience is the visit from Santa Claus himself. Santa typically boards the train at one of the stops along the route, and he spends the rest of the trip visiting with the children and handing out candy canes.

The Santa trains are a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit and create lasting memories with your family. If you're looking for a unique and festive way to celebrate the season, be sure to check out one of Virginia's Santa trains.

Here are some tips for making the most of your Santa train experience:

• Book your tickets early, as they often sell out quickly.
• Arrive at the train station early to get a good seat.
• Bring your own food and drinks on board the train.
• Be sure to bring your camera to capture all the special moments.
• Relax and enjoy the ride!

Additional information:

• The Norfolk Southern Railway's Santa train runs from Lynchburg to Roanoke, Virginia.
• The CSX Transportation's Santa train runs from Richmond to Newport News, Virginia.
• The Virginia & Truckee Railroad's Santa train runs from Carson City to Virginia City, Nevada.
• Santa trains typically operate on weekends in December.
• Tickets for Santa trains can be purchased online or at the train station.
• Children under 2 years old ride free on Santa trains.

Virginia's Legendary Santa Trains

by Donna Strother Deekens

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10676 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	193 pages

FREE