One of the great rituals of parenthood, especially when one's grandfather and father-in-law were both 'train men', would be the ride on the Santa Train. The NMT, when he was a wee one, took his first ride at age 3 on the New Hope - Ivyland Santa Train. At 5 he rode on the Strasburg Railroad train. Heck, he even did the "Day out with Thomas" (not a Santa train, more insane actually) down at the Cape May railroad in 100 degree heat. Sir Toppam Hat looked like he was going to pass out from heat stroke that day. But I digress... I can safely say we're experienced Santa Train riders, so we came to the Colebrookedale Railroad figuring it was going to be more of the same.
Boy were we wrong. This, my friends, is the best Santa train EVER. Also, it is the coolest way to buy your Christmas tree.
The Coleborokedale is a new experience, having been started just a few years ago by hearty train loving volunteers (as all of these historic railroad organizations are). They have painstakingly and lovingly restored these rail cars. The attention to detail is phenomenal. Not only that, but they decorated each car in one of the 'Twelve Days of Christmas" using paper snowflakes. Ours was "9 Ladies Dancing" with their skirts made of snowflakes, and yes, there were 9 hanging throughout the car.
The cars were all toasty warm, with the exception of the unique "open air car" which all passengers can visit. That was great for when the NMT and his sidekick wanted to walk around a bit, and the scenery was great too. Even this car was festively decorated, by the way.
Two very cool things: First, the train stops part way to pick up Santa, who asks for a ride to Pottstown as his Reindeer have flown away and he thinks they might be there. His sleigh is with him, sans reindeer. So Santa boards, and the kids go nuts. In a good way. Santa, by the way, was great, kind, gentle, attentive to each child, and very authentic. Even the NMT, on the cusp of adulthood, grinned and hugged Santa, and he is one tough cookie these days.
Next, you are invited, if you like, to stop further along the way at Santa's Secret Forest, where you can buy a Christmas tree and other things. The train leaves you there for about 35 minutes while it goes on to Pottstown and picks you up on the return. Should you buy a tree, which is not mandatory, they load it up for you on the open air car and take it back to Boyertown for you, where they again help you load it onto your car. We did not get off as we all have our tree, however next year we are definitely going to do this, as it is a unique and memorable way to do this.
We were in the open air car when we arrived in Pottstown. Just before the turn-around, the train crosses at grade level at Route 100, a busy 4 lane road. We were all encouraged to wave at the stopped cars. One driver, a Mr. Grinch, flipped my son 'the bird'. Yes, really. Flipping off kids on a Santa train. Anyhow, my son turns to his friend and others and yells "Wow, he must be on the Naughty List", which had all the younger kids giggling. Good save, NMT.
Then the volunteer conductors had the kids in the open air car gather at the front of the car, where it attached to the locomotive, so they could watch the engine 'explode' when it detaches, which is basically an air-line release. The kids LOVED it. Then the engine rolled by, attaching on the other end for the return home.
Lastly, the experience in the car. We rode in the "First Class" parlor car, where we were served drinking cocoa from a restored 19th century machine, which was magnificent. This was not Swiss Miss. It was more like Italian Drinking Chocolate, and I had two cups full. Then the kids were served cookies and crackers, while us adults got procicutto, salami and pepperoni wrapped cheeses, salted and sweetened nuts and water crackers. We also could have sparkling cider, which the kids loved too. On the way back we were offered chocolate chip cookies, which are also really good.
All of the conductors were volunteers, and they were great to a person, and the narration was also great, with lots of history interspersed with fun comments.
They have other excursions during the year - we are planning on riding the spring "Mudball Express", a train where riders are invited to throw mud balls made up of native plant seeds, fertilizers and mud, along the wooded parts of the route to promote native plant populations and have fun doing it. We can't hardly wait to ride again. read more