Candy Cane Express — Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, a non-profit heritage railroad on the Tillamook Coast, runs the Candy Cane Express as a steam-powered holiday excursion. The round trip leaves Garibaldi, turns around at Rockaway Beach and returns, taking one hour.

The operator describes a train beautifully decorated inside and out. Each ticket includes complimentary hot cocoa and locally baked cookies delivered to the seat. Passengers can write a letter to Santa while waiting for the man in the red suit himself, who visits the train and delivers a candy cane, and a live musician performs Christmas carols to sing along to. An on-board gift shop is open.

Indoor cars and covered outdoor cars are sold, with peak and regular pricing, and the entire caboose can be rented for a party of up to ten. The railroad says train cars can also be rented at special group pricing, and that dogs are allowed in the covered outdoor car.

A one-hour round trip along the Oregon coast on a decorated steam-powered train, with cocoa and cookies at your seat, materials to write a letter to Santa, a visit and a candy cane from Santa, and a live musician playing Christmas carols.

Departs from Garibaldi, Oregon (the railroad is at 306 American Avenue) and turns around at Rockaway Beach. Cars are wheelchair accessible via a portable wheelchair lift: call ahead and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Onboard restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. Dogs are allowed in the covered outdoor car; only task-trained service animals are allowed in the indoor cars. Infants 2 and under ride free on a lap. Tickets are sold through the railroad’s FareHarbor booking page.