Holiday train rides magical journeys for all ages

Long after memories of other holidays fade away, children remember the year they rode the train with Santa. The journey with the jolly old elf remains vivid in their minds, evocative of everything that is great about a child's favorite season. Southern Nevadans seeking special experiences for their youngsters find several holiday train trips within reach in Nevada and Arizona.

In Boulder City, the Nevada Southern Railway offers its hour-long Santa Train excursions on Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12. Trains depart every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the station at 600 Yucca St. Eager passengers usually line up about a half-hour before boarding begins. While waiting for departure, visit the toy train display in the station, take a ride to the nearby storage yard for a view of some of the railroad's other equipment and watch a demo run of the restored steam locomotive "Eureka."

About 200 passengers ride in several restored cars pulled by a handsome diesel locomotive. During the ride to Railroad Pass and back to the station, all the children aboard get to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy special treats.

The Nevada Southern's Santa Trains are such a bargain at $4 per seat that they fill up fast. Don't count on getting tickets at the station just before departure. Purchase tickets in advance by going in person to the ticket office at the station on weekends starting at 9 a.m., or to the administration office across Yucca Street on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pay in cash or by check, as no credit is accepted. For more about tickets, call 486-5006. For general information, call 486-5933.

Elsewhere in Nevada, other short line trains offer different experiences. Although the famous Virginia and Truckee Railroad's season ended at Halloween, a steam train from the Nevada railroad Museum in Carson City hauls holiday passengers on Thanksgiving weekend and in mid-December. The holiday trains consist of refurbished antique cars powered by a picturesque steam locomotive. Fares for passengers riding Fridays and Saturdays cost $5 for adults and $3 for children aged 4 to 11 years When Santa rides the trains on Dec. 11-12, all seats cost $3. The train runs several times daily between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Nevada Northern Railway in Ely runs Polar Express trains during November and December. These rides follow the magical adventure of the children from Chris Van Allsburg's enchanting book "The Polar Express" and the animated film of the same name. The experience includes meeting Santa at the North Pole, where all passengers receive a silver bell to help them recall their belief. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas like the youngsters in the book. While riding the train to meet Santa, passengers munch cookies and sip hot cocoa and listen to the holiday story that never seems to get old.

During Thanksgiving weekend, a vintage Nevada Northern train runs three evening excursions on Friday and Saturday. In early December, the Polar Express runs only on weekends. Daily trains start running afternoons and evenings Dec. 19-29, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Hasten to check availability of seats and make reservations soon online at nevadanorthernrailway.net, or call (866) 407-8326. Polar Express fares are $28 for adults, $16 for children aged 4 to 12 and free for younger riders. For Southern Nevada families, the Polar Express ride means an overnight stay since the Eastern Nevada town lies 240 miles away. Best make those hotel reservations soon, too.

Two Northern Arizona scenic trains offer holiday excursions that thrill young passengers. The Verde Canyon Railroad offers the Santa Claus Express on Wednesdays and weekends in December, a four-hour excursion with Santa and Mrs. Claus starting from Clarkdale. Check fares and availability online at verdecanyonrr.com or call (800) 293-7245. Grand Canyon Railway from Williams offers another authorized Polar Express experience Thanksgiving weekend, nearly every day in December and two days in January. Adult fares are $29 and children's fares are $19. A ride on the Christmas Eve Limited costs $58 for adults and $38 for children. Book soon online at thetrain.com or phone (888) 848-3511.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.