Story by: Andrea Kaneko and Pam Clifton
Trains and Christmas go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. As the rail lines of the 19th century expanded, more families were able to visit loved ones during the holidays, and trains became a symbol of Christmas reunions and celebrations. Toy trains became a popular gift too. Who hasn’t wrapped, unwrapped, or built a toy train and track, many at the base of a Christmas tree? Altogether, trains evoke images of travel and adventure and feelings of nostalgia and excitement, making them a lasting symbol of the holiday season.
Fortunately, there are plenty of festive rail experiences for families and friends to enjoy across the state. From The Polar Express ride in St. Louis to the Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train ride in Branson, these trains are your ticket to experience the wonder of Christmas. Passengers of all ages will find joy as they sing along with carolers, sip hot cocoa while waiting for Santa, and marvel at dazzling light displays. Here are some of Missouri’s most charming Christmas train experiences this holiday season.
Branson-Branson Scenic Railway: The Polar Express
The Branson Scenic Railway recreates the magic of the 2004 hit film The Polar Express. The adventure begins when the train departs from the historic 1905 depot in downtown Branson. After leaving the depot, the train heads to Hollister to pick up Santa, then leads guests to Shepherd of the Hills in Branson to see holiday lights, and finally, arrives back at the depot. The entire trip takes about an hour and 15 minutes. During the ride, guests can enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat as they travel to the North Pole. Favorite scenes from the movie are brought to life when Santa and his helpers give each guest a silver sleigh bell. Passengers can join in the caroling and enjoy fun activities. There is even a ghost on board who helps guide passengers throughout their holiday journey. The staff makes guests feel like they’re truly part of the magic when they listen to “The Polar Express” and visit with Santa and his elves. The Branson train is under new ownership through American Heritage Railways. “We have some nice upgrades planned for the event in Branson this season and look forward to making continued enhancements in the future,” says Jamie Ryan, director of marketing for the railway.
To learn more, visit BransonTrain.com/polarexpress.cfm.
Branson-Silver Dollar City: Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train
Silver Dollar City’s Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train ran its first route through the Ozark countryside in 1962. When An Old Time Christmas festival is held at the popular theme park, the Frisco Silver Dollar transitions into holiday mode as the Frisco Sing-Along Steam Train. It runs a nearly two-mile loop through Silver Dollar City and the Ozark Mountains. The loop takes 20 to 30 minutes, during which the conductor plays holiday songs as passengers sing along and listen to “Grandpa” talk about the true meaning of Christmas. Typically the train has only one locomotive running throughout the park, but during An Old Time Christmas festival, it has two, each carrying four cars. Guests can also catch live holiday shows, watch a parade featuring Rudolph, and stroll beneath 6.5 million twinkling lights.
To learn more, visit SilverDollarCity.com/tickets.
St. Louis-St. Louis Union Station: The Polar Express
From start to finish, St. Louis Union Station’s Polar Express train is a joyful experience for families. Guests are encouraged to wear pajamas and join the singing and dancing. The crew serves hot chocolate and cookies, and kids meet the conductor as they’re transported into scenes from the The Polar Express, a beloved holiday classic. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa boards the train, visits with each child, and gives them a magical gift. “The Polar Express is a family tradition here in St. Louis and unlike any other,” says Cameron Schoeffel, St. Louis Union Station’s director of sales and entertainment. The train departs from Union Station for a 6-mile round trip that takes about 45 minutes, but adding the time spent in the preboarding tent, riders can expect the overall experience to be about an hour and a half. Guests can make The Polar Express an unforgettable family trip by staying on-site at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel and exploring its engaging shopping center entertainment complex. Visitors can also experience the brand-new Elfie Express, an interactive train-themed walk-through attraction.
To learn more, visit STLPolarExpressRide.com.
Kansas City-Kansas City Union Station: Mini Holiday Express Train and CPKC Holiday Train
Union Station in Kansas City kicks off its Home for the Holidays experience on November 30, which offers a plethora of activities in its walk-through holiday village, including the historic Mini Holiday Express Train, also known as the Jones Store Train. The train, which leads children who are four feet and under past giant nutcrackers, a large Rudy train, and other holiday decorations, was once a popular attraction at the Jones Store downtown before it was moved to Union Station in 2005. There is also the Model Train Gallery, a massive railroad display that gets decked out for the holiday season, nearly doubling its normal size to 12,000-square feet. It showcases eight different train scales that range from the smallest to the largest gauge that run all at the same time. Patrons can enjoy thousands of floor-to-ceiling holiday lights, decorated trees, and a Magical Sleigh Ride experienced through virtual reality headsets. In addition, on November 30, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train, which tours North America, will make a pit stop at Union Station’s Haverty Family Yards. This free event allows visitors to view the outside of the CPKC train, which is lit with festive lights. Visits with Santa are offered, along with live music, kids’ activities, shopping, and food trucks. “Of course, all of this takes place at Union Station Kansas City, the ultimate holiday train lovers’ destination and tradition,” says Michael Tritt, Union Station’s chief marketing officer.
To learn more, visit UnionStation.org/holidays.
Springfield-Springfield Park Central Square: Christmas Train
Downtown Springfield’s Park Central Square is the place to catch the first train ride of the season at the November 23 Mayor’s Tree Lighting and Holiday Show. The Christmas Train gives 3-minute rides around the square. The trackless train with rubber tires consists of a John Deere lawn tractor, a coal car, a sleigh car, and two passenger cars. The train is decked out in festive lights and decorations, an air whistle, and a bell and has holiday music. Each ride holds about 15 to 20 passengers. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, and live and recorded stage performances by local dancers and musicians are part of the evening’s festivities. Attendees can also enjoy hot chocolate, candy canes, cookies, and horse-drawn carriage rides. “This is truly a family budget-friendly set of events,” says Sharon Spain, special event permit coordinator for the City of Springfield, “as the cost is totally free for both the Santa visits and train rides. All ages are welcome to come and ride the train and take selfies with Santa.”
To learn more, visit ItsAllDowntown.com.
Sedalia and Warrensburg-Amtrak: Ride the Train with Santa
The Sedalia Visitors & Convention Bureau and Sedalia Main Streets bring another year of Ride the Train with Santa on Saturday, December 14. The Amtrak #318 Missouri River Runner departs from Warrensburg and heads to Sedalia, about a 30-minute trip one way. During the ride, children meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and a merry little elf. In Sedalia, passengers visit the Lamy Building, located across the parking lot from the Amtrak station, to enjoy cookies and punch and take photos with Santa and his helpers. After about 45 minutes, the train will head back to Warrensburg. Amtrak offers a discount for children aged 12 and under, but tickets are limited.
To purchase your tickets, visit Amtrak.com or call 800-872-7245.
Monett and Exeter-Arkansas & Missouri Railroad: Holiday Express/Pajama Train
This train makes a trip past beautiful winter scenes of the Missouri landscape. The Holiday Express / Pajama Train is a one hour train ride from Monett to Exeter and only available on December 22. Four trips are scheduled for 10 am, noon, 2 pm, and 4 pm. The ride features fun activities like Christmas caroling, letter writing to Santa, visits with Santa, and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Visitors are encouraged to wear their pajamas or festive wear. Each glass-roofed vintage 1920s train car is decorated with a different Christmas theme. Since Monett does not have a train depot, the excursion departs from the Monett soccer fields. The proceeds from the ride go to help a local organization that assists in the adoption of children.
Call 479-725-4017 to reserve tickets. To learn more, visit AMTrainRides.com.
Jackson-St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway: The Santa Express
Each holiday season, the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway in Jackson hosts The Santa Express. The Santathemed ride takes two hours as the train travels six miles from Jackson to Gordonville and back on a private track. The train ride features Christmas carols, holiday games, face painting, and a reading of The Polar Express.
This is the most popular excursion offered by the railway, taking more than 5,000 visitors on the holiday ride every year. There are interactive experiences with Christmas characters too; about 20 elves greet passengers and communicate by radio with reindeer to arrange the arrival of Santa’s sleigh.
Once Santa reaches the train, four elves help him safely land and enter the train, but the Grinch meddles with Santa’s landing. Passengers must show the Grinch love in order to change his heart so he will allow Santa onboard. Once Santa and Mrs. Claus finally arrive, they visit with guests, and volunteers take each child to sit with Santa. Frosty the Snowman even joins the passengers. Elane Moonier, the passenger coordinator of the train, says it takes a lot of dedication and many volunteers to ensure each family’s trip on The Santa Express is memorable.
To learn more, visit SLIMMER.com.
This article was originally published in the November/December 2024 issue of Missouri Life.
