Holiday Lights Express — Wilmington & Western Railroad

The Wilmington & Western Railroad's Holiday Lights Express is an evening trip through the Red Clay Valley from Greenbank Station in Wilmington, Delaware. The operator says riders travel in festively decorated, heated, 100-year-old coaches, each covered in thousands of holiday lights, and that many of its trackside neighbors also decorate their homes and yards for passengers to enjoy during the 60-minute trip.

The operator is explicit that this excursion does not feature a visit from Santa Claus: Santa rides the train only on the separate Santa Claus Special. The Holiday Lights Express is pulled by one of the railroad's historic first-generation diesel locomotives, and the railroad reserves the right to substitute coaches and motive power as operating conditions demand.

The railroad sells coach seating, a parlor car and a caboose rental for this event, and in coach asks families to select four adjacent seats to make a family pod. The Wilmington & Western is owned and operated by the non-profit Historic Red Clay Valley, and its Greenbank Station gift shop is open during the Holiday Lights Express.

A 60-minute evening trip in heated, 100-year-old coaches covered in thousands of holiday lights, past homes and yards that trackside neighbors decorate. There is no visit from Santa Claus on this train. Pulled by a historic diesel locomotive.

Boards at Greenbank Station, 2201 Newport Gap Pike (Delaware Route 41 North), Wilmington, Delaware, 1,000 feet north of Route 2 (Kirkwood Highway); the operator says there is plenty of free parking and asks guests to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets are printed and held at the Greenbank Station ticket counter under the last name on the booking (they are neither mailed nor emailed); reserved tickets must be picked up at least 15 minutes before departure, and unclaimed no-show tickets are non-refundable. Trains operate rain or shine, and the railroad reserves the right to substitute coaches and motive power and to change the schedule without prior notice. Accessibility is limited: there is a wheelchair lift to board at Greenbank Station, train doorways are 24 inches wide and space for wheelchair storage is limited. Toddlers seated on a lap do not need a seat; a baby or car seat needs a free toddler seat. Phone: (302) 998-1930.