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Christmas Trains Update
https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46040		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Alexander D. Mitchell IV [ Fri Nov 19, 2021 2:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Christmas Trains Update
Since I can't seem to find Brother Hadder's query as to how heritage railways are handling "winter holiday" trains in 2021:

*Wilmington & Western has announced its schedule for both their Santa Claus Express and Holiday Lights Express, but has imposed assigned seating, and asked that groups wanting to sit together act accordingly:
https://www.facebook.com/WilmingtonWest ... 8172031676
"Mask Requirement Update: Face coverings are no longer required on the Open Air Car (Hayrides) and in the parking lot and on the platform of the Greenbank Station."

*Verde Canyon RR in Arizona has a full schedule with "Magical Christmas Journeys" short out-and-back runs at 5:30 and 7:30 pm Thursdays through Sundays from Dec. 3 to Dec. 23, a special run on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, and regular runs Tuesdays.Wednesdays and the 26th-30th:
https://verdecanyonrr.com/train-schedule/
And I'm not finding a peep about the pandemic or masks on their website.
Author:  co614 [ Fri Nov 19, 2021 4:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
We at New Hope ( www.newhoperailroad.com) are offering a full schedule of steam and diesel version Christmas season trains.

Response has been very strong and based upon reservations to date it looks like a great year in the making.

Let's hope everyone enjoys strong ridership and safe operations.

Sadly we can not offer steam cab rides due to social distancing so I will miss hosting some of my RyPN friends as in years past. Maybe next year Covid willing.

Here's wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and a healthy, rewarding, steam filled 2022.

Ross Rowland
Author:  Bartman-TN [ Fri Nov 19, 2021 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad is operating various holiday trains from November 27th through December 19th. They will operate out of Springdale and Van Buren, Arkansas, and Monett, Missouri.

The trips are all about 1 hour in length and feature Santa, hot chocolate and cookies at the station location. We will be using 3 coaches, 1 dome car, 1 dining car, and 1 lounge car, plus those famous ALCO C-420s!

Many of the trips are close to being sold out, and all information is available on the railroad's website (https://amtrainrides.com/).

Bart
Author:  msm57095 [ Fri Nov 19, 2021 5:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
We at the other New Hope, the New Hope Valley Railway (http://www.triangletrain.com) are offering Santa themed diesel train rides on Saturdays and Sundays in early December.

The first 5 days are already sold out, and we've recently added a 6th day of rides to the schedule which is selling well. We are thankful for a strong season this year and are on track to break our all time ridership record. This is especially gratifying as we have done so following all covid protocols.

Best wishes to all for a healthy and safe holiday season. May your trains be full, your riders happy, and your projects funded.

Best,
Mike
New Hope Valley Railway
http://www.triangletrain.com
Author:  RookieFireman [ Fri Nov 19, 2021 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
The Three Rivers Rambler in Knoxville, TN will be running 4 weekends of trips, beginning Thanksgiving weekend.

131-year-old Southern Railway #154 will be powering trips on Dec 11/12 and Dec 17/18.

https://www.threeriversrambler.com/christmastix
Author:  softwerkslex [ Sat Nov 20, 2021 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
Conditions in Denmark are much better, and we are running without any restrictions. Four weekends of mainline steam trains, plus some extra diesel excursions to Christmas markets.

https://veterantoget.dk/
Author:  Mount Royal [ Sun Nov 21, 2021 2:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
At least 40 of the 48 scheduled Christmas trains are sold out at the Railroad Museum of New England’s Naugatuck Railroad. rmne.org
Author:  Les Beckman [ Sun Nov 21, 2021 8:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
From what I heard at the museum yesterday, all of Hoosier Valley's Santa train runs have been sold out and we had to pull our radio and newspaper advertisements.

Les
Author:  co614 [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
We've ( www.newhoperailroad.com) encountered a good problem in that quite a few of our December Santa trains were sold out early. We've added an additional coach to those trains to accommodate the demand.

I hope others in the industry are also experiencing strong sales.

Thanks, Ross Rowland
Author:  wesp [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
As of today, National Capital Trolley Museum has sold over 500 of 900 available seats covering four dates of Holly Trolleyfest.

Wesley
Author:  scratchyX1 [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
wesp wrote:
As of today, National Capital Trolley Museum has sold over 500 of 900 available seats covering four dates of Holly Trolleyfest.

Wesley

Paul (the Santa) said they would be busy this winter.
Author:  Bobharbison [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 3:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
Les Beckman wrote:
From what I heard at the museum yesterday, all of Hoosier Valley's Santa train runs have been sold out and we had to pull our radio and newspaper advertisements.

Les


I'm curious as to why they wouldn't add more trains or run on additional days if they're already sold out?
Author:  softwerkslex [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 7:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
Bobharbison wrote:
Les Beckman wrote:
From what I heard at the museum yesterday, all of Hoosier Valley's Santa train runs have been sold out and we had to pull our radio and newspaper advertisements.

Les


I'm curious as to why they wouldn't add more trains or run on additional days if they're already sold out?


Lack of volunteer labor. From a pure financial standpoint - we should add trains during Christmas week, and maybe on Friday evening. But, we don't have the volunteer labor to staff and clean all those trains.
Author:  CA1 [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 7:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
Curious to hear from others regarding what scheduling of trains is the most popular.

For example weekday daytime trains vs week day evening vs weekend day vs weekend evening.

I'd think week day daytime would obviously be the least popular but maybe during this time of year there is so much demand based on location etc that weekday daytime runs make sense.
Author:  Bartman-TN [ Mon Nov 22, 2021 10:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Christmas Trains Update
We are operating a lot of weekday trains - both morning and evening. Many of the morning weekday trains are sold out with large student groups from local schools, teach-at-home groups, etc. These groups have basically bought entire cars, and multi-cars. They get a bit of education in addition to the holiday fun.
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