North Pole Limited — The Iron Horse Society

The North Pole Limited is a holiday train ride run by The Iron Horse Society from Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The operator describes the whole visit as a 120-minute adventure. It starts with festive activities inside the museum, where children can stop by the Santa Letter Station to write wish lists. Then comes the train ride of about an hour behind a historic steam locomotive through Scranton's historic rail yard and Nay Aug Park.

On board, live musicians play Christmas carols, Santa visits each family along the route, and Mrs. Claus gives every child a small gift. When riders return from the train ride, there are cookies and hot cocoa, and more festive activities in the museum.

Tickets are sold in timed entry windows, and trains depart about 30 minutes after each window begins. Seating is bus-style, two people per seat, and is not assigned: it is first come, first served. All proceeds from ticket sales support The Iron Horse Society.

The train is organized and managed by The Iron Horse Society, not by the park. Questions about the ride go to the society, not to Steamtown.

A visit of about two hours in all. Festive activities in the museum come first, including a Santa Letter Station where children can write wish lists. The train ride lasts about an hour behind a historic steam locomotive through the Scranton rail yard and Nay Aug Park, with live musicians playing Christmas carols. Santa visits each family on the route and Mrs. Claus gives each child a small gift. Cookies and hot cocoa are served when riders return, with more activities in the museum.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your timed entry time, and allow time to park and walk to the entry point. Trains depart about 30 minutes after each timed entry window begins. Have your online ticket receipt ready to show so you can board quickly. Seating is bus-style, two people per seat, first come, first served and not assigned. Wheelchair-accessible seating is limited: call the society ahead. A free ADA seating reservation option is offered on the booking page. The trains run unless the National Park Service closes the site because of severe weather. All sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges unless the ticketed train or tour does not operate. The society will give at least two hours' notice if a train is cancelled and will refund within 10 business days. Contact The Iron Horse Society at (570) 266-8328 or info@theironhorsesociety.org; do not call Steamtown about this train. By attending, guests agree to be photographed or filmed for promotional use.