Christmas Trains

December is here and so are the Christmas trains! For those of us missing a model train at the foot of our Christmas trees, here’s a chance to go out and see the real thing. While the first regularly scheduled passenger train first ran on Christmas Day in 1830, the history of the relationship between Christmas and trains is elusive. Nevertheless, the connection couldn’t be more apparent. What else moves massive quantities of toys and other gifts? Santa Claus must have ditched the sleigh and reindeer for steel wheels on steel rails to deliver all those toys.

Here’s a list of the Christmas trains with runs remaining this season in Colorado. While some have already passed, there are still some good opportunities.

Dates	Railroad/Location	Website Details
Dec 8, 9, 15, 16	Rio Grande Scenic Railroad	North Pole Express, routes vary
Dec 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24	Manitou & Pikes Peak (cog railway)	Santa Train, Two departures each day. Combine this with a visit to Santa's Workshop.
Dec 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27	Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad	The Polar Express, two to three departures each evening
Dec 8	Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad	Antonito Cinder Bear Express
Dec 15 - 24	Royal Gorge Route	Santa train departs daily 12:30 pm