On Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 the Boothbay Railway Village will be running the “North Pole Express!" Departures will be at 11, 11:45, 12:30, 1:15, 2 and 2:45 each day. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment or long waits.

Start your trip inside historic 1912 Freeport Station (the main train station at the Museum) by writing your letter to Santa by warmth of the wood stove.

Train conductors will call “All Aboard” and everyone, young and old, will board the train to the North Pole. Settle into a comfortable seat in the steam-heated passenger car as you enjoy the winter wonderland of forest frosted with white snow (weather permitting, of course.)

If you’d like, upgrade your ticket to First Class and enjoy the Victorian splendor of the restored Franklin & Megantic Coach No. 2. The coach was originally built in 1903 and it embodies the typical travel of the era with its plush walkover seats and mahogany interior. Guests in First Class will also receive a keepsake.

The train will carry you through the Village and arrive at the North Pole (Thorndike Station) where a special guest wearing a red suit with a jolly belly will jump aboard to greet you! Yes, Santa himself will attend!

After meeting the “big guy” in person the train will whisk you back to the station where you will be invited to join us in the Spruce Point Chapel for a storybook reading. Then passengers head to the 1847 Boothbay Town Hall for more festivities. Inside guests will be treated to hot chocolate and homemade cookies while enjoying the G-scale model of the Museum’s own locomotive and a holiday themed layout under the Village’s Christmas tree. Children will also be invited to make a vintage-inspired holiday ornament to take home.

North Pole Express is one of the Signature Events of the Boothbay Festival of Lights. This new Festival runs from Nov. 18-Dec. 31. For more information about area dining, shopping and lodging as well as a complete calendar of events that will add sparkle to your holidays visit www.boothbaylights.com.

Tickets for North Pole Express are available in advance through www.railwayvillage.org or at the door. Standard tickets are $15, First Class $20 for attendees three years and older. Museum members receive a $4 discount per ticket only on Standard tickets, sorry no discounts on First Class. When ordering your tickets online remember: children under 3 years old do not need a ticket. 

For more information about the North Pole Express call the Museum at 207-633-4727. The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay.