Wilmington & Western Railroad

Delaware’s Most Magical Holiday Train Is Back—With Caboose Seating and Vintage Cars

"Running from Greenbank Station in Wilmington, Delaware, this railroad brings back its Santa Claus Express starting Nov. 28 on weekends and during the week of the holiday, with the final run on Christmas Eve; the 45-minute roundtrip winds along the Red Clay Valley watershed behind either a first-generation diesel or an antique steam locomotive for an old-fashioned feel, and Santa rides with an elf. Guests can book standard seats or reserve the caboose or parlor car for private groups, and each child gets a treat plus time for photos with Santa during four daily departures (12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:15 p.m.). On select dates in November, December, and January, the Holiday Lights Express offers a similar 45-minute ride in 100-year-old heated coaches covered in thousands of lights, powered by one of the railroad’s historic first-generation diesel locomotives. Tickets run $29 for adults, $28 for seniors, and $25 for ages 2–12, with children under 2 free; private-group rates are $400 for the caboose (15–20 people) and $600 for the parlor car (20–40). Service recently returned after a multi-month closure for passenger car and caboose renovations (including seating and window upgrades) and major repairs to the track and diesel fleet, and accessibility includes a wheelchair lift to board at Greenbank Station and ramps throughout the station, though train doorways are 24 inches wide with limited onboard storage—contact the railroad directly or visit wwrr.com for accommodations." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines