All Aboard for a Holiday You’ll Never Forget

The experience begins as you board your train in Flemington, and each child receives a souvenir golden ticket! Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on board. Stop at Ringoes Station to enjoy a cookie and hot cocoa, an abundance of festive photo opportunities, operating model trains, and more. There’s no better way to embrace the holiday spirit than at Black River & Western Railroad.

Select the arrows below to learn more about the experience. 

Features

• Your ticket includes: 
  • Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus on board the train. 
  • Train ride from Flemington, with a layover at our festive train station, and return. 
  • A complimentary cookie and hot cocoa at the station for each guest. 
  • Handcrafted sleigh bell gift and gold souvenir ticket for children. 
  • Included family photo WITH Santa in our Photo Booth.  
    • Note: photo delivery will be digital-only (prints not available). 
  • Festive photo opportunities. 
  • Explore our museum, which showcases railroad memorabilia and features model train layouts. 
  • Bring a letter to leave for Santa in his mailbox at the station. 

Ways to Ride

• Coach Class: Enjoy all the essential amenities and features, such as reserved seating included in Coach Class, our most affordable option. 
• Premium Coach: Experience an upgrade with Premium Coach, featuring all the Coach Class benefits plus reserved seating at a private table.
  • Please note that food and beverage service are not available in Premium Coach. 
• Parlor Class: Indulge in Parlor Class, which offers comfortable reserved lounge chairs and snack service. Each guest will receive one complimentary beverage and snack.
  • Additional a-la-carte snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board (credit card only). 
• Private Caboose Rental: Reserve your own private caboose, accommodating up to 14 guests (children under 3 years old do not count toward the guest limit when seated on laps). 
• Private Coach Rental: For an exclusive experience, contact us to reserve our premium club car for your group! Email us at info@blackriverrailroad.com for more information. 

Parlor Class Food Service

• Parlor Class guests will be seated at reserved premium accommodations and will enjoy complimentary snack and cold beverage service at their seat, in addition to the cookie and hot cocoa at the train station. 
  • Snack options will include a selection of chips, pretzels, granola bars, and similar items. 
  • Cold beverages will include a selection of bottled water, sodas, teas, and more. 
  • Each Parlor Class-ticketed guest may choose one complimentary snack and beverage. Additional items may be purchased on board, credit card only. 
• Please note that this service is only available to Parlor Class guests.

Additional Information

• Alcohol 
  • Alcoholic beverages ARE NOT permitted on board the train UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. The train crew has the right to inspect any baggage or coolers a guest brings on board the train. Any disruptive behavior resulting from alcohol consumption will be addressed by train staff and may result in removal from the train without a refund. 
  • Inquiries regarding bringing alcohol for a private club car rental can be discussed with our Customer Service Manager through email: info@blackriverrailroad.com 
• Restrooms 
  • Note: RESTROOMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN OR NEAR FLEMINGTON STATION. 
  • Limited restroom facilities are available on board the train for emergency situations only. Ask a member of our staff for assistance. 
  • Restrooms are available at Ringoes Station on the lower level. Baby changing tables are provided in the men’s and women’s restrooms. 
• Bag Policy 
  • We highly recommend leaving your large bags at home or in the car for this excursion, as space is limited on board our historic train. Strollers and baby car seats are NOT recommended for this excursion. The lighter you pack, the more enjoyable your experience will be! 
• Attire 
  • Holiday attire is encouraged! Guests can wear festive sweaters, hats, or even their favorite pair of pajamas. While the train will be heated, some areas, such as the train stations, are exposed to outdoor weather. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing suitable for winter weather and the day’s forecast. 
  • Clothing with offensive language or graphics, excessively ripped or torn clothing, and inappropriate or revealing attire are prohibited. 
• Power 
  • All departures are powered by one of our vintage diesel-electric locomotives. We reserve the right to substitute motive power at any time for any reason and without advance notice. 
• Expectations 
  • Please note that this is not a THE POLAR EXPRESS™ train ride experience. 
• Duration 
  • The duration listed reflects the total time between departures. The actual experience time will be slightly shorter to allow for schedule adjustments and other operational considerations. 
• Can’t find what you’re looking for? 
  • Visit our FAQ page to view answers to commonly asked questions.