Holiday train makes tracks for Belmont
A new Christmas-themed entertainment option is chugging into the Charlotte region...via Belmont.
On select dates starting Nov. 27 through Dec. 27, the Train to Christmas Town will take passengers on a 70-minute round trip rail ride through a stretch of Gaston County in decorated rail cars.
While on board passengers will be immersed in the “The Train to Christmas Town” experience starting with a recorded reading of the story by Peggy Ellis. The holiday tale is about Janice and her brother and their ride to Christmas Town for the first time without their grandmother. Guests are welcomed by the conductor and enjoy hot coco and cookies.
The train pulls into a North Pole set where Santa will join riders for the trip back, and present each child with a gift. The entire experience takes place inside the train.
The ride back is filled with carols, photo opportunities with Santa and dancing elves. “We hope that all riders leave feeling like this could be an annual tradition,” says Sarah Munley, marketing director for Premier Rail Collection.
The Train to Christmas Town has also partnered with Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation for its inaugural season.
Three classes of service are available; Diamond, First Class and Standard and prices vary. Serviced by the Piedmont and Northern Railway, the Christmas Town adventure is part of the Premier Rail Collection, a family of passenger railroads across the United States including Cape Code, Chicago, and Texas locations.
Train to Christmas Town
Dates: Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 16-23, 26-27
Times: Departures at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Not all dates have all listed departure times.)
Price: $25-$50 per child (age 2 to 12) and $35-$60 for adult (13 and older) depending on class of service.
Reservations and information: www.traintochristmastown.com/northcarolina or call 877-421-0008.
Location of Depot: 667 Cason St, Belmont, near the Belmont Abbey College campus.
Parking: $5 per car
Dress: Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride but close-toed shoes are recommended. No slippers, open-toed shoes, sandals or flip flops.
This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 10:27 AM with the headline "Holiday train makes tracks for Belmont."