Expresso de Natal — ABPF Trem Caiçara

The Expresso de Natal is the Christmas evening ride of the Trem Caiçara, the heritage steam railway between Morretes and Antonina in the state of Paraná, sold on the ticketing site of the ABPF (Associação Brasileira de Preservação Ferroviária), Regional de Santa Catarina. The operator describes it as a magical trip aboard one of the oldest steam locomotives still working in Brazil, a journey of light and magic from Morretes to Antonina.

During the journey the train makes a special stop at Chácara Bonita, where passengers visit a small museum of antiques, meet Santa Claus and see the Christmas lights switched on. Christmas songs add to the atmosphere, and a surprise gift is given to the youngest passengers.

The operator gives the trip as 16 km in total. It describes the regular Trem Caiçara line as the 16-kilometre stretch of the former Estrada de Ferro Donna Izabel between Antonina and Morretes, running through Atlantic Forest and crossing bridges, farms and mangroves. The Christmas product is sold apart from the Trem Caiçara's regular weekend rides, with its own page, its own calendar and an evening departure.

A Christmas steam train from Morretes to Antonina, 16 km in all, with a special stop at Chácara Bonita: a visit to its small museum of antiques, Santa Claus, the lighting of the Christmas lights and Christmas songs, and a surprise gift for the small passengers. The operator's programme gives these estimated times: departure from Morretes 6:30 pm, arrival at Chácara Bonita 6:50 pm, departure from Chácara Bonita 7:45 pm, arrival at the Antonina railway station 8:30 pm and arrival of the road return in Morretes 9:00 pm. It adds that all times are estimates and may change without notice; the road return is sold as an optional add-on.

The booking page says the train leaves from Morretes; the operator's Trem Caiçara page lists the Morretes boarding station as the Estação Ferroviária de Morretes, Rua Padre Saviniano, 768, Centro, Morretes, Paraná (it also lists the Antonina station, Rua Uruguai, s/n, Centro). Children up to 5 years old ride free on a lap; from 6 years, the full fare applies. Tickets are sold on the operator's site; payment by bank deposit, credit card in up to 6 interest-free instalments, or debit card. The operator does not rebook or cancel tickets already bought, for any reason; a passenger can be replaced by another person through its call centre, (47) 3307-9977 (phone and WhatsApp). The booking page also offers an optional add-on called "Retorno Rodoviário" (road return). Promotional prices cannot be combined, and the operator asks passengers who qualify for half-fare to call its call centre.