New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR) is continuing its annual holiday tradition with Holiday Santa Trains the first two weekends in December. Tickets are currently on sale for all train rides on Saturdays Dec. 6 and 13 and Sundays Dec. 7 and 14. Trains will depart from the rail yard located in Bonsal, N.C., 10 minutes south of Apex off of U.S. Highway 1.

The trains and rail yard will be festively decorated and holiday scenes will be set up along the tracks. Frosty the Snowman will greet children in the rail yard, while Santa Claus and his elf are on board to pose for photos and visit with each child during the hour-long train ride.

“Families have celebrated the holiday season at New Hope Valley Railway since 1988,” says long-time NHVR volunteer Dave Chasco. “Those who visited our railroad back then as children are coming back today with their children making this a holiday tradition.”

Visitors will ride in open-air passenger cars, pulled by either a diesel or steam locomotive, and are encouraged to dress for the weather. Trains will operate in the snow, sleet or rain so plan to dress accordingly. Hot chocolate and other concessions will be available at the food vender set-up onsite.

Holiday Santa trains tend to sell out. NHVR recommends buying tickets online at www.TriangleTrain.com and arriving at the train yard 30 minutes before the listed departure time on the ride day. Tickets can also be purchased at the train yard the day of the ride.

Holiday Santa Trains are scheduled to operate:

• Saturday and Sunday, December 6 & 7
• Saturday and Sunday, December 13 & 14

Diesel train rides depart at:

• 11:00 a.m., 2 p.m.

Steam train rides depart at:

• 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Diesel train ride tickets are:

• $12 for adults and $10 for children, ages 2-12

Steam train ride tickets are:

• $15 for adults and $12 for children

Learn more by visiting www.TriangleTrain.com or www.facebook.com/TriangleTrain.