Jingle all the way on 5 holiday train rides in Nevada

Family-friendly train rides are available throughout Nevada year-round, but the state’s historic rail lines go all out for the holidays.  

This winter, you can celebrate the Christmas season in Nevada on a festive train ride through the Silver State’s rich railroad heritage. Throughout December, these rolling relics of the state’s mining history will transport guests to a winter wonderland filled with Christmas carols, hot cocoa, and visits from jolly Saint Nick.

Family-friendly rides are available throughout the state year-round, but the rail lines—including the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in Virginia City, Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City and Boulder City, and Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely—go all out for Christmas.  

Whether dashing through the snow aboard Santa’s Reindeer Flyer in Ely or taking a shortcut to the North Pole on the V&T Polar Express in Carson City, it’s sure to be a festive ride.

Nevada’s historic trains are popular, and tickets sell out fast, so don’t delay!

The Electric Holiday Train O’ Lights

Where: Virginia & Truckee Railroad, 166 F. Street, Virginia City

When: Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21

A train so bright it can give Rudolph’s nose a run for its money, the Electric Holiday Train O’ Lights guides passengers on a quick trip from Virginia City to Santa’s Village at Gold Hill. Decorated with thousands of LED lights inside and out, the historic train travels 2.5 miles while guests enjoy hot chocolate or cider, cookies, and sing-alongs. Don’t be surprised if the lights from the train attract Santa and his reindeer. 

The Christmas train rides are sold out for the season but you can still enjoy non-themed train rides and the month-long Christmas on the Comstock events in Virginia City.

About the Virginia & Truckee Railroad: Virginia City is home to the oldest locomotives in Nevada and the largest silver strike in the country’s history, the Comstock Lode. Starting in 1869, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad hauled millions of dollars in gold and silver from the area’s mines to Carson City. It operated 45 trains per day at its peak for 74 years straight. Now, visitors can take a ride on the 100-year-old steam engines and heritage diesel locomotives past famous Bonanza Comstock mines while learning the area’s history and possibly spotting bands of wild horses, raptors, and other native wildlife.

V&T Polar Express

Where: Virginia & Truckee Railroad, 4650 Eastgate Siding Road, Carson City

When: Through December 23

Santa is extra busy this time of year. Fortunately, the North Pole is a short ride from Carson City on the V&T Polar Express. Wear your coziest pajamas and hop aboard this Christmas train for an enchanting roundtrip hour-long journey filled with hot chocolate, treats, entertainment, holiday music, and a telling of “The Polar Express” story. Best of all, the magical Mr. Claus has been known to drop in with gifts. Tickets start at $60 plus fees.

About Virginia & Truckee Railroad—Carson City: The V&T Railroad transformed the West into a major player in the nation’s history. Along with hauling ore from Virginia City, it also ran luxury passenger cars. The portion that runs through the state’s capital is commemorated at Carson City’s Nevada State Railroad Museum, which includes working locomotives, railroad equipment, artifacts, documents, and exhibits.

Photo courtesy of Travel Nevada.

Santa Train – Northern Nevada

Where: Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 South Carson Street, Carson City

When: December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22

Take a holiday ride with the whole family on a historic locomotive with hot beverages, candy canes, and festive activities. Want something other than coal this Christmas? You can write a letter to Santa and hand it to him yourself. According to the Nevada Moms website, he might even write you back! Here’s to hoping you aren’t on the naughty list. Tickets cost $10 a piece.

About the Nevada State Railroad Museum – Carson City: Carson City’s Nevada State Railroad Museum is home to working locomotives from the V&T Railroad, railroad equipment, artifacts, documents, and exhibits related to the essential role of Nevada railroads. Among the restored and operating locomotives is the world’s only operable McKeen motor car, designated as one of only a few moving National Historic Landmarks in 2012.

Santa Train – Southern Nevada

Where: Nevada State Railroad Museum, 601 Yucca Street, Boulder City

When: Through December 22

Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to Boulder City for a visit with passengers on the Santa Train. The 40-minute journey will turn even the biggest Grinch into a Christmas enthusiast. Enjoy holiday sing-alongs and a reading of the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Then stop by Santa’s Railyard for cookies, hot chocolate, games, and a snowball fight. Be sure to dress warm! Nighttime rides are sold out, but tickets are available during the day. Cost is only $12 per person.

About the Nevada State Railroad Museum – Boulder City: Learn the history and heritage of the Boulder Branch Line and the role it played in the construction of the Hoover Dam at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City. Built in 1931, the line hauled tons of equipment and material from California to Southern Nevada. Check out restored railroad equipment and a model railroad display, and embark on a 45-minute, 10-mile round-trip between Boulder City and Paradise Hills in a refurbished coach that dates back to 1911.

Santa’s Reindeer Flyer

Where: Nevada Northern Railway Museum, 1100 Ave A, Ely

When: Through December 28

Experience the magic of Christmas as a passenger on Santa’s Reindeer Flyer, a vintage train that’s been all decked out for the holidays. Hop aboard and enjoy scenic winter views while you warm up with hot cocoa, sing Christmas carols, and soak up the seasonal spirit. Santa may even stop by with gifts for the children during this festive, family-friendly outing. Tickets start at $41.

About the Northern Nevada Railway: A relic of Ely’s copper mining roots, this railroad was built in the early 1900s to haul away copper ore from the town’s mines. Its original steam and diesel engines run today on a section of track between Ely and McGill, allowing visitors to pay homage to the area’s locomotive history. Sharing its grounds with another museum, the East Ely Railroad Depot, this National Historic Landmark also provides a perfectly preserved glimpse at a historic rail yard, including a blacksmith shop, foundry, and artifacts like 1920s payroll ledgers and old photos.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.