Colorado Santa Trains

Editor's note: For your best option by location, please see the Map: Colorado Christmas Trains, updated every year, or for a recent and more accurate listing than the post below, see 2012 Christmas Trains. Here's the original post, published in November 28, 2006:

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Colorado has a long list of Christmas traditions, both local and regional, like the lighting of the Denver Civic Center or Christmas parades at night. One tradition that has an international impact is NORADs tracking Santa as he makes his way across the world.

But when it comes to railroads, it seems the jolly old elf is a railfan too. He's making a list of trains he wants to ride to spread some Christmas cheer before the big day. Here's his Colorado itinerary:

• The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will run it's Polar Express out of Durango on Dec. 1-2, 8-10, 15-23 and an afterglow run on the 27. Trains run at 5:10 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. Reservations are required, tickets can be purchased online at www.durangotrain.com or by calling the D&SNG ticket office at (877)-TRAIN-07.
• The Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway west of Colorado Springs will be running a Santa Claus Special Train twice a day (10:30am & 1:20pm) on Dec. 2, 9, 16 & 23 to their Four Mile siding for a rendezvous with Kris Kringle. Tickets are $15 and seating is extremely limited. You must call to make reservations at (719) 685-5401, as no Christmas trains will be booked online.
• The Royal Gorge Route in Canon City will host Santa on Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-24th on 12:30 pm departures. Call for reservations or make them online.
• The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden has a Santa Claus Special on Dec 2-3. Santa will be in a big red caboose at the museum and food will be available. The train will be running between 10 am and 4 pm. Train ride and visit with Santa are free with regular admission.

Now you may wonder how Santa is going to ride 4 different trains across the state on December 2nd. I happen to know that Santa's administrative assistants are extremely efficient and have not double booked him. He will be at all of these locations through his special magic. However, if you happen to miss him, you can always drop by and visit him at the North Pole, which just happens to be slightly west (?) of Colorado Springs.