Santa Express — Tennessee Central Railway Museum

The Tennessee Central Railway Museum runs its Santa Express excursions from the museum on Willow Street in Nashville, Tennessee. The operator invites families to ride a restored classic streamlined stainless steel passenger train with Santa and his elves, with plenty of photo opportunities. Each trip is approximately an hour and a half round trip, with no layover, and all seats are reserved.

The museum sells children's seats (children under 12), coach and dining car seats, and a limited number of dome seats: 20 seats in a glass-enclosed dome car above the roofline, with a 360-degree view that the operator says sell out first. Refreshments and souvenirs are for sale on board; passengers may not bring their own food or drink.

The Santa Express runs on select Saturdays with three departures a day. The museum operates its theme-based excursions on Saturdays only, because of heavy freight traffic on weekdays.

A round trip of about an hour and a half on a streamlined passenger train, with Santa and his elves on board and time for photographs. There is no layover. Some cars have seats facing each other in groups of four, and the dome car has 20 seats under a glass roof. Snacks, drinks and souvenirs are sold on board. All cars are heated and air conditioned.

Boards at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, 220 Willow St, Nashville, Tennessee. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure. Parking is free, with parking attendants and neighbouring lots and street parking used. All seats are reserved. Tickets are subject to a convenience fee and sales are final with no refunds or exchanges. Tickets are sold through the museum's Etix page or by phone at 615-241-0436. Passengers using wheelchairs or needing special assistance should contact the museum before ordering (tickets@tcry.org). No pets are allowed; service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted. Restrooms are in several cars and are typically locked until the train is underway.