Santa Special — The Georgia Train

The Georgia Train runs its Santa Special from Kingsland Station, the home of the Florida-Georgia Railway Heritage Museum, a nonprofit that runs themed train rides on what the operator calls one of America's oldest shortline railroads. On the Christmas ride, Santa, his elves, Frosty the Snowman and other characters visit the passenger coach throughout the trip, and passengers sing carols with Santa's elves.

A short pre-show is held in the station theater before boarding. The operator says the holiday experience is the same for everyone, wherever they sit. The seasonal ride uses open-air rail cars (a roof overhead and wooden benches facing the centre of the car), and the operator also offers two private cabooses for group bookings and a cab ride in the locomotive for up to two people. Riders in the locomotive cab are separated from the other cars and cannot see the characters.

Food and drink service is not available during the ride. Popcorn, beer, wine, cocktails and snacks can be bought in the station before departure and taken on board. Every train ticket also includes free admission to the model train layout in the Kingsland Station Train Museum.

A short pre-show in the station theater, then a ride in an open-air car, during which Santa, his elves, Frosty and other characters come through the coach and passengers sing carols with the elves. There is no food or drink service on the train, and the open-air cars have no restroom: use the station facilities before boarding. Dress for cooler weather.

Departs from Kingsland Station, 440 S. Lee St., Kingsland, Georgia, about two miles west of I-95. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure and the operator recommends arriving at least 30 minutes early to park, check in at the ticket counter and visit the restrooms; the train cannot wait for late passengers. Parking is limited, in the grass next to the station, with overflow parking on both sides of the street in front of the building. The seasonal ride is on open-air cars with limited ADA accessibility; ADA seats can be bought online. The two private cabooses and the locomotive cab cannot accommodate ADA passengers. Pets are not allowed. Everyone who rides needs a ticket; children aged two and under ride free on an adult's lap. All sales are final and trains run rain or shine. The operator lists promo codes for active-duty military and veterans, first responders and educators.