North Pole Limited — Northwest Railway Museum

The North Pole Limited is the longer of the two Santa Train experiences run by the Northwest Railway Museum in the Snoqualmie Valley of Washington. The museum says the Santa Train has been a Snoqualmie Valley holiday tradition run by the museum every year since 1969.

The excursion lasts about two hours and begins at the North Bend Depot. Families ride the train about 10 to 15 minutes to the museum’s seasonally decorated Railway History Campus, spend roughly an hour there, then board again for the ride back to North Bend. On the campus they can visit the museum’s exhibits, enjoy cookies and hot drinks (hot chocolate, hot apple cider or coffee), join seasonal crafts and see the seasonal decor. Santa receives children inside the museum’s restored Chapel Car, and every child receives a present. The museum holds the train until everyone in line has had a chance to visit him.

Ticket holders can return on another non-event date for complimentary Train Shed admission. Santa Train takes place rain or shine. The museum’s shorter option, the Yuletide Express, is a separate 40-minute ride from the Snoqualmie Depot and is not part of this entry.

Two short train rides of 10 to 15 minutes each way, with about an hour at the Railway History Campus in between: museum exhibits, cookies and hot drinks, seasonal crafts and decor, and a visit with Santa in the restored Chapel Car, who gives every child a present. Dress for rain or snow: boarding lines are outdoors.

Boards at the North Bend Depot, 205 E. McClellan Street, North Bend, Washington, just behind the Shell station; public parking in downtown North Bend is free. Everyone aged 2 and up needs a ticket; tickets include the train ride, Train Shed admission, the visit with Santa, a present and refreshments. Tickets are assigned by time and passengers must return on their scheduled train. The museum asks guests to arrive about 25 minutes before departure. No refunds or exchanges unless the train does not run. There are no restrooms on the train. A wheelchair lift is available for boarding; call ahead for the North Bend Depot, and note that the Chapel Car is not wheelchair accessible (Santa comes out to meet guests who cannot climb its steps). No pets, only service animals.