This past Saturday we were fortunate enough to take a trip to Kempton, PA in Berks County to ride the Santa Claus Express, an annual, one-weekend-only, event held by the WK&S Railroad.
We visited one other time, in December 2019 and had a blast so we decided to do it again. Compared to other Santa Trains in our area, and there are several, the Santa Claus Express is priced extremely reasonably at $15 a ticket. Also the staff and volunteers who put on the weekend do a bang-up job of making it a special event.
Not only do Santa and Mrs. Claus visit riders on the train, passengers have the opportunity to talk to exquisitely costumed elves, Frosty the Snowman, and the train Conductor and porters. I also like the concourse area that visits walk thru before getting on the train. It features a snack bar, picnic tables, train station, model railroad exhibit, and rest room.
[It seems odd that I would mention how awesome it is that the train has a bathroom nearby, but I have been a patron of another primarily-volunteer staffed Christmas train experience in Bellefonte, PA and that railroad didn’t have a restroom outside of the train station. While I lived close by that that train station and was wise to the missing bathroom and was able to prepare my guests, I witnessed other passengers who were not so lucky and were very unhappy about the restroom situation. Even so, if you live in State College area and are looking for a Christmas train experience I would still recommend Bellefonte’s Santa Express, just make arrangements to stop at the Benner Pike Sheetz beforehand].
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Anyways. . . .
Back to our trip, here is a picture from 2019 Santa Express trip:
The train ride lasts 40 minutes and the scenery that it passes by is pastoral farmlands. The train station abuts the Kempton Community Center and Playground so before or after riding the train, families can play before getting back in their cars. Patrick loves playing on an old sailboat that is docked in the playground as a play feature.
Here are some pictures of our trip
If you decide to get lunch in the area after riding the Santa Express, might I suggest Wanamakers General Store. It is located about 2 miles away from the Railroad and has a delightful selection of sandwiches, chips, drinks, and baked good. We discovered this gem for the first time this past September on a visit to Laser Lake. Here is the link if you are interested in reading about it.
In my past 6 years as a parent I have been a part of a number of child related Christmas events. Some have been great and others have been so-so. This is by far one of my favorite family holiday traditions.
What are some of your favorite holiday activities?
Great pictures! The train ride sounds fun. And I love the sweaters you and Patrick wore.
Love the sweater!