Santa's North Pole Express — South Carolina Railroad Museum

The South Carolina Railroad Museum runs Santa's North Pole Express as its annual holiday ride on the museum's line near Winnsboro. The operator says Santa walks through the train and comes to you, so there are no lines, and that the ride lasts about 90 minutes or until Santa has talked to every child on the train. It welcomes pajamas and reminds families to bring their letters for Santa.

Passengers choose between two kinds of seating. Coach Class is in retired Chicago & North Western commuter cars with two-person bench seating and reversible backrests, so that a group of four can face each other. The Dining Car is a 1924 Pullman diner built for Southern Railways and used throughout South Carolina; patrons sit at four-person tables, may choose their seats when buying, and are served a light snack and a beverage.

About 90 minutes, or until Santa has spoken to every child on the train. Santa walks through the train, so there are no lines. Pajamas are welcome and children can bring letters for Santa. Dining Car passengers are served a light snack and a beverage.

The museum is at 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro, South Carolina. Check in at the ticket office for boarding passes at least 20 minutes before departure; boarding gates close 10 minutes before departure. There are no restrooms on the train, so use those at the museum before boarding. The historic equipment is not fully ADA accessible; call 803-635-9893 before booking for assistance. Strollers are not permitted in this compartment. In the Dining Car every rider, including lap babies and children under 2, needs a full ticket, and groups without paid tickets for all riders are moved to coach and forfeit the difference in ticket price. Ticket exchanges and transfers carry a per-ticket fee.