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A Kansas Christmas Train Ride In Abilene!

Published: October 27, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Set in the heartland of Kansas, the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad (ASVRR) offers a living, breathing encounter with railroading’s golden age. Based in Abilene—a town known for the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Old Abilene Town, and an enduring cowboy spirit—this volunteer-powered nonprofit invites visitors to slow down, step aboard vintage railcars, and roll through the Smoky Hill River valley between Abilene and the nearby community of Enterprise. It’s an experience that blends history, scenery, and community pride, whether you come for a sunny summer run, a themed dinner outing, or a twinkling holiday ride.

A Volunteer Railroad with a Big Heart

ASVRR is sustained by volunteers and community partners who maintain the track, restore equipment, crew the trains, and host guests with Kansas hospitality. The railroad typically operates diesel-powered excursions throughout much of the year and, when available, showcases its celebrated steam locomotive, Santa Fe 3415, on select dates. The round-trip journey is about 10 miles and generally takes 1.5 to 2 hours, a pace that encourages conversation, photos from the windows, and time to absorb the gentle roll of steel wheels on rail.

Passengers ride in vintage coaches that reflect an earlier era of rail travel. You’ll see open farmland, river crossings, and small-town scenes that feel like storybook Americana. On many runs, the destination of Enterprise adds another dimension: the Hoffman Grist Mill, a local historic site, often opens for demonstrations and artisanal goods, creating a hands-on heritage pairing with the train itself.

A Seasonal Favorite: The Holiday Excursion

During the holiday season, ASVRR transforms from a history museum on rails to a festive corridor of lights, music, and family traditions. While the railroad’s holiday program has appeared under different names and formats over the years, the spirit is consistent: give families, friends, and visitors an evening of warmth and wonder, rooted in local community.

If the railroad brands its winter ride as the “Evergreen and Ember Express,” the name fits beautifully. Evergreen evokes bedecked coaches, garlands, and timeless holiday greenery. Ember hints at gathering places—the glow of potbelly stoves in depots, safe outdoor fire pits at the platform, or simply the warm light of lanterns and café cars—where hot cocoa tastes richer and stories come to life.

What Riders Can Expect

- Atmosphere: The depot and cars are typically decorated with seasonal flair. Expect holiday music, friendly crew members in festive attire, and a pace that’s ideal for families with young children as well as couples seeking a nostalgic night out.

- The Ride: The train departs Abilene for Enterprise around twilight on designated dates, maximizing the glow of decorations and the cozy ambiance inside. The round trip is unhurried and designed for enjoying the moment, snapping photos, and watching the landscape roll past in winter’s hush.

- Santa and Stories: Many holiday runs include a visit from Santa, opportunities for children to share wish lists, and a small treat. Storytelling and carol sing-alongs are common and add to the feeling that you’re part of an old-fashioned community gathering—because you are.

- Treats and Comforts: Hot cocoa, cider, and cookies are typical, served by volunteers who know that simple comforts are part of the magic. Dress warmly; while coaches are heated, winter evenings on the Kansas plains can be crisp, and the walk to and from the train is part of the fun.

- Enterprise Stop: When schedules and weather allow, the Enterprise stop may include time to visit the Hoffman Grist Mill or a pop-up market with local artisans. It’s the kind of experience where you pick up a bag of fresh flour or a hand-made holiday craft and feel connected to the people who made it.

Why It Resonates

Holiday train rides are perennial favorites for a reason. The ASVRR experience blends sensory delights—steam era sights and sounds when available, classic diesel rumble, and the cadence of rail—with memory-making rituals. Parents remember their own childhood wonder; kids delight in the novelty of a real train; everyone appreciates the community effort that brings it together.

Because the railroad is volunteer-run, riders also see where their ticket dollars go. Proceeds help maintain the track and equipment, support restoration projects, and sustain a local institution that educates, entertains, and preserves a tangible piece of American history. If you’ve ever dreamed of being part of a steam crew or restoring a coach, ASVRR welcomes new volunteers and members. The holiday season is a great time to learn how to get involved.

Tips for Planning Your Trip

- Book early: Holiday runs often sell out quickly, especially prime weekend evenings. Watch the railroad’s official channels for dates, times, and ticket releases.

- Arrive with time to spare: Parking, ticket pickup, photos at the depot, and a relaxed boarding experience all benefit from an extra 20 to 30 minutes.

- Dress for the weather: Winter in Kansas can be cold and windy. Layers, hats, and gloves make the platform time and any outdoor activities more comfortable.

- Accessibility and seating: If anyone in your party needs accessible seating or accommodations, contact the railroad ahead of time. The volunteers do their best to help.

- Make a day of it: Combine your ride with daytime visits to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Old Abilene Town, or Abilene’s shops and cafés. Many families turn the trip into a full holiday outing.

The Broader Mission

ASVRR is more than excursions and events. It’s an educational resource for schools, a living history site for tourists, and a workshop for preserving rare skills. Its star locomotive, Santa Fe 3415, is a treasure of American railroading; when that engine steams, visitors witness the culmination of thousands of volunteer hours and community support. Even when 3415 is undergoing required inspections or restoration cycles, the railroad’s commitment to keeping history alive never pauses.

A Final Word

Whether or not the event is billed as the “Evergreen and Ember Express,” the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad’s holiday trains deliver exactly what the name suggests: evergreen traditions and the ember-warm glow of shared experiences. It’s an evening where time seems to slow, where the laughter of children mixes with the rhythm of the rails, and where the simple act of riding a train becomes a doorway to memory.

Check the railroad’s official website or social media for the latest schedules, event naming, ticketing, and equipment updates. Then gather your favorite people, bundle up, and come ride. In a world that moves fast, ASVRR offers a rare gift: a few miles of track where heritage, community, and the holiday spirit all meet—beautifully—in motion.