Watch The Tennessee Countryside Whirl By On This Unforgettable Christmas Train
By Meghan Kraft|Updated on October 20, 2023(Originally published November 16, 2018)
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
It’s that time of year again, folks! Christmas is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to break out the sweaters, get the family together, and make sure all the kids (and grandkids!) get the chance to visit Santa and ask for what they want. Luckily for all of us, there’s a Christmas train in Tennessee that leaves Chattanooga and takes you straight to the North Pole, and the train is even visited by the big man himself! If your family is looking for a unique and magical experience this Christmas, look no further than the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s North Pole Limited.
Every year, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum operates a series of train rides that everyone in the family is sure to enjoy. Historic and restored engines sound the whistle, blow steam, and chug down the tracks all year long. Several options are available from seasonal specials and events to a simple scenic ride through the mountains.
When Christmas time rolls around there is one event that is hailed as the Tennessee Valley Railroad's biggest and best throughout the year. The trip? To the North Pole of course!
The North Pole Limited has been operating every holiday season since 1999 and is the museum's most popular train ride. It's easy to see why! The whole train is decked out in Christmas lights and decorations, making for a truly magical experience.
Walking up to the platform you will be amazed by dazzling lights, colorful Christmas displays, and sparkling candy canes. The train itself is decked out with lights inside and out and along the way, guests will pass by many magical displays. The whole experience is meant to be immersive and interactive.
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The train starts at the station in Chattanooga and rolls through the country past some beautiful light displays before stopping at the "North Pole" where a very special guest boards the train.
Being transported to the North Pole is part of the fun when the train slows to a stop. Soon Santa comes on the train and brings his big bellowing laughter and Christmas spirit. He will also greet each child and offer them a special gift because he is Santa of course! If you want to make the occasion even more enchanting you can purchase a ticket to Santa's Private Car, where guests will spend an extended time with the big man and receive a copy of the TVRM Christmas book.
The whole experience consists of, the train's crew performing the occasional sing-along, and Christmas storytelling, and then Santa himself even makes his way through every car to visit all the children and give them a keepsake.
From start to finish, this is a great way to celebrate the holidays with this long-standing tradition on a train.
For those adults out there, there's also an adult Christmas train called "Nightcaps with Saint Nick," which includes two drink tickets in an adults-only car. This is perfect for the kid-at-heart Christmas lovers out there.
Be sure to follow along with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (Link below) because events like this one and others throughout the year will give visitors a one-of-a-kind experience.
This train ride is absolutely magical and perfect for anyone in your family who loves the season or even just loves trains. The only downside of the trip is that eventually, you do get back to the station -- you can't just stay on the train forever.
The North Pole Limited runs multiple trips every weekend from mid-November through the end of December. You can find more information at the Tennessee Valley Railroad site. Be sure to buy tickets online ahead of time, as they can sell out, especially as you get closer to Christmas.
People come from all over to experience this popular Christmas train in Tennessee, and for good reason. This is a magical experience where you receive the rare opportunity to leave the state and travel to the North Pole! There is always something special about taking a ride on a historic train, but when you add a sprinkle of Christmas joy, there is nothing quite like it. If you are coming from out of town and need a place to stay, then check into this downtown Chattanooga hotel.
For a sneak peek, check out this video from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s YouTube page.
