North Pole Express — Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, which presents itself as the official railroad museum of the state of Alabama, runs its North Pole Express in the evenings from the Calera Depot in Calera, Alabama. The operator describes a journey by starlight in which passengers listen to a whimsical Christmas story, sing carols and watch the windows for the bright lights of the North Pole to appear.

At the North Pole, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves board the train to visit every family and take photos with every child, and each family receives a custom collectible ornament; each year one of the museum's historic cars is commemorated on the ornament. Chefs then serve a drink and a treat to passengers aged two and up. The story and carols are performed live in the Entertainment car and heard throughout the other cars.

The operator sells Coach, Entertainment Coach, First Class and a Premium Table Car, and describes each historic car on its page. The whole experience, the ride and the time spent stopped among the lights at the North Pole, lasts about an hour and a half. The museum separately runs a daytime event, Christmas at the Station.

About 1½ hours including the ride and the time stopped at the North Pole. A Christmas story and carols (performed live in the Entertainment car and heard throughout the train), a visit to every family by Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, a drink and a treat, and a collectible ornament. No passengers leave the train at the North Pole. Pajamas are encouraged.

Departs from the Calera Depot, 1919 9th Street, Calera, Alabama. All tickets must be bought in advance online and boarding passes are picked up at Will Call in the historic depot on the night. Plan to arrive about 60 minutes before departure; boarding from each car's tent begins about 15 minutes before. There are no restrooms on the train, so use those at the Gift Shop. Food vendors on the grounds sell warm drinks, dinner options and snacks; no food or drink may be brought on board. Cars are assigned by ticket but seats within a car are not. Infants under 24 months ride on an adult's lap. The Long Island Coach has the only wheelchair space, with a hydraulic lift for boarding, and at least one other passenger must accompany the wheelchair user. The operator calls the Frisco Coach the most historic car and says it is not climate controlled. The Premium Table Car does not accept infants under two.