Iowa Christmas Train Rides In Boone!

Published: December 6, 2025

The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad in Boone, Iowa, is one of the Midwest’s classic heritage railroads—part living museum, part working short line, and part all-season excursion line that shows off the rugged beauty of the Des Moines River Valley.

Operated by the non-profit Iowa Railroad Historical Society, it combines an impressive collection of equipment with memorable trips over some of Iowa’s most dramatic railroad scenery, including the 156-foot-high Bass Point Creek High Bridge.

Each year, tens of thousands of visitors ride its trains: from classic daytime excursions to dinner trains, rail bikes, and themed events. And when the holidays arrive, the railroad transforms for its popular Santa Express, a Christmas-season tradition that carries families “from Boone to the North Pole” and back again.

Background and history

The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad began in 1983, when the Iowa Railroad Historical Society acquired a portion of the former Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway (FDDM&S), an interurban and freight line that once linked coal mines, farm communities, and industrial customers across central Iowa. When the FDDM&S shut down, local rail enthusiasts and community leaders stepped in to save a key stretch of its route, preserving not only the track but also its dramatic bridges and grade.

From the start, the group’s mission was educational as much as recreational. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Iowa Railroad Historical Society set out to interpret the region’s railroading heritage, using operating trains, artifacts, and exhibits to tell the story. Volunteers—many of them lifelong railroaders or steam enthusiasts—play an essential role, staffing everything from locomotives and train crews to the gift shop and ticket office. The railroad emphasizes that without its volunteers, it “simply would not be able to exist.”

Over time, the operation expanded from modest excursions to a full-fledged railroad and museum complex. Today, the Boone & Scenic Valley owns about 11 miles of standard-gauge track and even handles some freight service within Boone, interchanging with Union Pacific. That dual role—as both tourist line and short line—gives the property a sense of authenticity: this is a place where trains are not just museum pieces, but still part of the working railroad world.

The James H. Andrew Railroad Museum

Anchoring the Boone depot complex is the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum and History Center, a 9,000-square-foot facility that showcases railroading across Iowa and the Midwest. Inside, guests find a theater, archives, a research library, and exhibits featuring everything from railroad china and lanterns to scale models and historical photographs.

Admission to the museum is included with most excursion tickets, making it an easy add-on to any trip. For serious students of railroad history, the museum’s collections and library offer a deeper dive, while casual visitors appreciate the interpretive displays that help put their ride into context—explaining how railroads shaped farming, industry, and everyday life in Iowa.

Signature excursions and experiences

The Boone & Scenic Valley is best known for its Fraser Train, the classic round-trip excursion westward from Boone to the former coal-mining town of Fraser. This roughly 1 hour 45-minute trip follows the old FDDM&S right-of-way through rolling countryside and the wooded Des Moines River Valley, crossing both the Des Moines River Bridge and the towering 156-foot Bass Point Creek High Bridge—one of the highest railroad bridges in the state.

Passengers can choose from open-air cars, climate-controlled coaches, and sometimes caboose or premium seating. On select dates, steam power adds extra drama to the crossing of the high bridge, making for unforgettable photographs.

Beyond the Fraser Train, the railroad offers a wide range of themed excursions:

Wolf Picnic and Lunch Trains: Daytime trips with simple meals served onboard, ideal for families and groups.
Wolf Dinner Train and Sunset BBQ Dinner Train: Evening excursions featuring full meal service as the train winds through the valley at golden hour, crossing the high bridge in fading light.
Special events: Over the years, the line has hosted “Thomas the Tank Engine” events, photo charters, rail-bike experiences, and other themed trips that often sell out in advance.

The combination of dramatic scenery, well-restored equipment, and varied ride options has made B&SV a destination not just for Iowans, but for railfans and families from across the Midwest.

Holiday tradition: the Santa Express

As popular as the summer and fall excursions are, many guests first discover the railroad through its Santa Express, a Christmas-season ride that has grown into an annual tradition for families throughout central Iowa.

Typically operating on weekends between late November and just before Christmas, the Santa Express departs from the Boone depot and travels through the Des Moines River Valley to a “North Pole” scene, then returns to town. The trip usually lasts around 75 to 90 minutes, depending on how long it takes Santa to visit each car.

What The Train Includes

A ride on the Santa Express is designed to be immersive and kid-friendly. Promotional materials and regional tourism listings highlight several key elements:

Journey to the North Pole: The train heads west from Boone, crossing the Bass Point Creek High Bridge and the Des Moines River Bridge on its way to a decorated “North Pole” scene. For many guests, the moment the train edges onto the high bridge—sometimes in darkness, with valley lights below—is a highlight of the trip.
Visit from Santa: During the trip, Santa moves through the train, stopping at each seat to greet children, pose for photos, and hand out a small gift. Parents often appreciate that they don’t have to wait in a separate line; the visit comes to them.
Treats and storytelling: Volunteers distribute cookies and drinks, and a story—often themed around the train’s trip to the North Pole—is read aloud, adding to the cozy, onboard atmosphere.
Decorated coaches and depot: Both the depot and coaches are trimmed with holiday decorations and lights, creating a festive backdrop for family photos before and after the ride.

Seating options usually mirror those on other excursions: classic coach, first-class coach, and table seating, each priced accordingly. Recent seasons have listed classic coach around the high-20-dollar range per person, with higher fares for upgraded seating; as always, guests should check the railroad’s site for the most current pricing and availability.

Why it’s so popular

Several factors make train stand out among holiday train rides:

Authentic railroad setting: This is not a temporary track in a city park; the train runs over the same substantial railroad used for summer excursions, complete with high bridges and valley scenery.
Volunteer-driven warmth: Many of the onboard staff and car hosts are long-time volunteers who return year after year. Reviews often mention their friendliness and enthusiasm, which gives the event a community feel rather than a packaged attraction vibe.
Kid-focused experience: The ride length, onboard activities, and Santa’s visit are all geared toward families with children. It’s long enough to feel like a real journey, but not so long that younger kids get restless.
Scenery in any season: In daylight, guests get wide views of the winter landscape; after dark, the river valley and bridges take on a different, almost mysterious character. Either way, the setting elevates the experience beyond a simple “mall Santa” visit.

A railroad where history and holiday magic meet

Whether you experience it on a sun-splashed summer afternoon or a frosty December evening, the Boone & Scenic Valley offers a powerful combination of authentic railroad heritage and scenic beauty. Its excursions carry you over one of Iowa’s tallest rail bridges, through a valley shaped by coal mining and agriculture, and into a living chapter of Midwestern railroading.

During the Christmas season, the Santa Express adds another layer of charm—turning classic coaches and historic bridges into the setting for families’ holiday memories. To learn more and purchasing tickets for this holiday favorite please click here to visit the B&SV's website.

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