Santa’s Holiday Express
Photo courtesy of Brian Soloman Conway Scenic Railroad
By Lee Caldwell
Prepare for some holiday magic. Santa’s Holiday Express will be leaving the 1874-built Victorian North Conway Station for a trip to Conway and to the land of make-believe.
Trains are scheduled to run on December 1, 7and 8, 14 and 15, and 21 and 23, at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. The total round-trip train ride is around 55 minutes, with an additional 25-minute stop at the train station in Conway.
The train journey through the Conway Valley is 11 miles, round-trip, and goes through some beautiful farm fields with the Moat Mountains in the background. With its wintery landscape in the valley, a stunning view of Mount Washington, the crossings over the Saco and Ellis rivers, and the view of the Moat Mountains, the train ride, itself, has been described as “pretty spectacular”.
During an interview with Greg Neptune, Conway Scenic Railroad Manager of Customer Service, he describes the train ride as follows:
“Well, the ride itself is a journey that departs from North Conway and heads down to Conway Village. There will be Christmas music playing on the train, and the kids, of course, will get a complementary cookie and hot chocolate. When they arrive in Conway, there will be Christmas decorations, and it’s just a great train ride and a great experience to visit with Santa Claus, get their picture taken with Santa, and to ask the big guy himself what they want for Christmas.”
He continued, “We have our 9:30 train, our 11 o’clock train, and our 1:30 train, so kids and their families can get dressed up, and what is great about Christmas time is, all families get dressed up in their pajamas and come down and see Santa Claus, and where everyone wears matching pajama outfits. It’s really a great time.”
Greg said, “You know, kids get together, and every so often, snowball fights and snowman-building can break out [during the stop in Conway]. Being in the White Mountains, the probability for snow is high. So, last year, we had people break out to a snowman-building contest. You never know what you are going to get into when you are around the magic of Santa Claus!
“There have been some years when we have had events outside, where they see Santa outside at the Conway stop. Some years, Santa is on the train. So really, weather depending, you never know what kind of magic is going to pop up, but they’ll see Santa Claus and get to be able to — ever so important — be able to ask Santa how his Christmas is, but more importantly, to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.”
From his home in the North Pole, Santa Claus, himself, joins the interview:
“The most heartwarming thing I do get, and it does happen a lot (when I ask kids what they want for Christmas) is kids wishing for everyone on this Earth to have a good Christmas, believe it or not. And last year in particular, had a lot of kids asking for those 1990s toys that a lot of people grew up with, like Ninja Turtles and stuffed animals. Barbie is still making a comeback, and Matchbox cars are a popular one this season, for sure.”
Santa continues, “I have heard adults ask for spouses for Christmas. Yes, people want to get married for Christmas. There is definitely an air of — there’s something about Christmas time that brings loved ones together, and this, of course, is always a spark of romance around the holidays. So, people often ask for significant others. They also ask for new vehicles and for new places to live. So, I am going to be busy.”
When asked about the reindeer, Santa states that they are going to fly around while he visits Santa’s Holiday Express. “They are very, very busy during the year. They’re at home doing their calisthenics, getting ready for the big night.”
What do the reindeer want for Christmas?
According to Santa, “The reindeer especially love carrots. Rudolph is a huge fan of carrots. Blitzen, he’s kind of shying away from carrots this year. He likes radishes. But everyone else is on the strictly vegetable diet this year. It is also called the Reindeer Diet.”
When asked if he keeps warm enough, Santa replies, “I have a one-of-a-kind outfit that keeps me nice and warm in all weather types, more specifically, up here in the White Mountains.”
What does Santa want for Christmas?
He replies, “What Santa would like for Christmas is more chocolate chip cookies. I cannot get enough of chocolate chip cookies at Christmas.”
Santa wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season, and invites everyone to join him on Santa’s Holiday Express.
For more information, go to info@conwayscenic.com Reservations may be made online.
Conway Scenic Railroad is located in North Conway, telephone 603-356-5252.