By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography
All photos taken at The Strasburg Railroad

Santa’s Paradise Express will be pulling into Lancaster’s Strasburg Rail Road, bringing Santa on his journey to spread the magic of the season to thousands of families who believe.

The Strasburg Railroad
Strasburg, PA
www.strasburgrailroad.com
“Santa Paradise Express”
Dec 11th 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th & 20th
$16 Adults, $10 Children
717-687-7522

The Strasburg Railroad’s ‘Santa Paradise Express’ has been a family tradition for thousands across the Delaware Valley for fifty-one years. “I think riding with Santa on the train is just a different experience then seeing Santa in a traditional atmosphere-like the mall where the children sit on his lap for a minute or two and pose for a picture. On the Paradise Express, Santa comes to the kids and the family-and that is something very special,” explained Strasburg’s Event Manager Ric Gochenauer. Many families visit Strasburg every holiday season, some returning for decades bringing back generations of family members for the ride. This year Strasburg added a third weekend for the annual adventure (starting with Thanksgiving weekend) and expects over 10,000 riders for the ’09 Express.

Riders of the Strasburg Railroad experience an authentic vintage steam train, warmed by a potbelly stove, that travels past more than 1,000 acres of picturesque farmland on the way to Paradise, PA.

The Paradise Express, an authentic vintage steam engine, has been fortunate to have the same ‘Santa’ for ten years, bringing Mr. Claus on his journey to spread the magic of the season to thousands of families who believe. In addition to the adventure on the tracks, visitors can enjoy a gift shop with goodies to take home, a forty-foot water tower topped with a Christmas tree and more. And, each coach on the Paradise Express is heated by old-fashioned pot belly stoves. “It is such a relaxing forty-five minute ride, the steam engine does a ghost whistle half way through the ride and you can hear the clickety-clack of the train on the rails. It’s a great time to get away from the hustle and bustle for an afternoon,” enthused Strasburg’s Kathy Gochenaur.

Lucky riders of Santa’s Paradise Express are entertained by Santa, carolers and musicians during the 45 minute adventure.

After the train ride, children are treated to storybook readings of holiday classics. Children of all ages can also enjoy a ride aboard the Cagney, a miniature steam train. As a special treat, children ages 3 to 11 will receive a gift from Santa and his helper.

Santa’s Paradise Express will be at Strasburg Rail Road, Route 741, Strasburg, PA, December 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20, 2009. Trains run throughout the day during weekends and a special 7p.m. train runs on Friday, December 11th and 18th. Tickets are available for $16 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-11. For a complete listing of dates and times, or to purchase tickets go to www.StrasburgRailRoad.com or call (717) 687-7522.

The West Chester Railroad
West Chester, PA
www.westchesterrr.com
“The Santa Express”
Every weekend through December 20th
Train Departs at 11am, 1 and 3pm
Adults $15, Children 2+ $10
610-430-2323

A ride on the West Chester Railroad’s Santa Express this holiday season offers kids young and old a trip back to a simple time along the beautiful Chester Creek in Chester County. The route is part of the old Pennsylvania Railroad central division on the West Chester and Phoenixville branch. Historic stations along the way are the Westtown station, now an art gallery, which is located next to the new Westtown Township Park; the 19th century village and station at Cheyney, which is also home to one of the nation’s oldest African American universities; Locksley Station, which is near one of the oldest iron slitting mill sites in the country and the Frazier Farmstead of Revolutionary War fame; and finally the picturesque village of Glen Mills with its restored Victorian station operated as a museum by the Thornbury Historical Society. It is believed that the station may have been designed by the noted Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness.

Upon their return to West Chester, families can enjoy one of the nation’s oldest county seats, with plenty of shopping and dining choices. A visit to the nearby “History Center” at the Chester County Historical Society is also a great experience after your holiday ride on West Chester’s Santa Express.

The New Hope Railroad & Ivyland Railroad
New Hope, PA
www.newhoperailroad.com
“The North Pole Express”
November 20th-December 23rd on select days
215-862-2332

The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad once again welcomes Santa and Mrs. Claus along with a whole host of holiday revelers. The North Pole’s most famous resident will be parking his sleigh and riding aboard the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad’s steam powered “North Pole Express.” Santa will be visiting onboard with children, while posing for photographs and offering them a small gift and holiday wishes!

The festively decorated rail cars are filled with holiday cheer as the train chugs merrily along its route through beautiful Bucks County’s countryside to the “North Pole”. All passengers will enjoy creamy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to local musicians perform classic Christmas carols in anticipation of dear Santa Claus.

The North Pole Express runs from November 20th through December 23rd on select days. Reservations are strongly suggested. For reservations, ticket fares and a complete schedule, visit www.newhoperailroad.com or call 215-862-2332. All trains depart from the New Hope station, located at 32 West Bridge Street. The New Hope Train Station is located one block west from the intersection of Bridge and Main Streets in downtown New Hope, PA.