PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Train rides to Christmas Town are in full swing!
Starting in mid-November until Dec. 27, the Mount Hood Railroad decks out its exterior and interior and becomes the Train to Christmas Town.
The 6-mile train ride, which departs from Hood River, brings guests to Christmas Town and back — with Santa coming on board for the final leg of the trip.
“On the way back down, I visit with them, get their names, and what they want for Christmas and we try to get them set up for pictures,” Santa told KOIN 6 News.
The four cars of the train travel up the Hood River Valley, alongside Hood River, through the trees, along the orchards and gives guests a view of the valley you can’t get from the highway.
While on board, elves serve the guests hot cocoa and cookies, and make sure the holiday spirit is alive and well throughout the trip.
The festive train ride has become a holiday tradition for many families.
“This is our 14th year of doing the Christmas train in November and December and what I’ve seen is families just keep coming back here year after year, making it kind of a family tradition,” Ron Kaufman with Mt. Hood Railroad said.
