North Pole Flyer — Austin Steam Train Association

The Austin Steam Train Association runs the North Pole Flyer as a round-trip holiday excursion that leaves from and returns to the Bertram Depot in the Texas Hill Country. The operator calls it the Hill Country's favorite holiday train ride and says it is suited to all ages.

On board, passengers meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, sing along to holiday tunes, drink hot cocoa and eat a locally baked holiday cookie, and hear a reading of a Christmas story. The operator adds live balloon twisting on the platform, and gives every child under 13 a wooden train whistle and Christmas coloring sheets.

The operator sells three ways to ride: Coach cars with bus- or airplane-style seats, Lounge cars with tables, booths and chairs, and private compartments in former sleeper rooms. The cars are decorated with holiday themes, and the train is pulled by the association's blue diesel locomotive No. 3118.

The Austin Steam Train Association is based in Cedar Park, Texas, relies on volunteers, and also runs regular Hill Country excursions.

A two-hour round trip on a real vintage train: a visit and photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus, all-you-can-drink hot cocoa, a locally baked holiday cookie, on-board caroling and a sing-along, and a Christmas story reading. Children under 13 receive a wooden train whistle and coloring sheets. Evening departures may be too dark to see much scenery, but the train is decorated inside.

All North Pole Flyer rides leave from and return to the Bertram Depot, 100 W State Hwy 29, Bertram, Texas. Seating is assigned in advance: the operator asks guests to book seats next to each other, and a section that is not fully booked by one party may be shared with other passengers. Children under 3 may ride on a lap with a lap ticket. Wheelchair seating is very limited and must be reserved in advance by email or phone, because the operator cannot take unannounced wheelchair seating on the day. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable; the operator offers a gift card instead if you email its reservations office by 4:00 p.m. on the Friday before the ride. Group bookings (20 or more) and whole-car charters are sold separately. Reservations: 512-915-2340.