Press Release

From the North Pole Express Train to the Santa Special, Essex Station offers one-of-a-kind Christmas experiences

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat officially launched their Christmas Season on Saturday with a ribbon cutting and dress rehearsal of its ever-popular North Pole Express. The attraction has been providing families with great Christmas events for over four decades.

The sold-out North Pole Express is a magical nighttime journey, where every coach becomes a stage for a live, musical performance of The Night Before Christmas. Complete with Santa, Mrs. Claus, sing-a-longs, hot chocolate and sugar cookies, each child will receive a small gift to commemorate their experience on the Train. Children are invited to wear their favorite pajamas for the 90-minute excursion to the North Pole!

The daytime Santa Special excursion is coming to the Essex Station on weekends from Friday, November 25-December 23. There will be select departures available on December 26, 27 and 28 as well to prolong the magic of Christmas over the winter break. The Essex Steam Train will transform into a winter wonderland complete with visits from good ‘ole Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus, vintage decorations, gifts from Santa’s elves, and more.

Guests at the Santa Special will participate in a one-of-a-kind holiday experience where they can board festive railway cars and spread the holiday cheer for all to hear!

New for 2016, Essex Steam Train welcomes Rudolph for a Reindeer Breakfast in conjunction with the Santa Special. Prepared by the team that provides the Essex Clipper Dinner Train and caters on-site events and functions, the breakfast can be added on to a 10:30 a.m. Santa Special departure First Class Car ticket only.  “Letters to Santa,” another wonderful addition to the Santa Special, allows children to mail their wish lists to Santa at the North Pole Post Office in River Valley Junction. For $3, believers will receive a response from Santa himself within one week! Proceeds go to the local Lion’s Club.

Each event features Coach and First Class Car seating – offering padded bench seats versus individual upholstered armchairs, respectively. Prices range dependent on dates. Please visit our Seasonal Excursions for more information. Please contact info@essexsteamtrain.com or call (800) 377-3987 for any additional questions about ticketing.

Merry Christmas, and have a safe and happy holiday season.