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A Washington Christmas Train Ride On The Santa Train!

Published: October 30, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Tucked into the forested foothills of north Clark County, Washington, the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad offers a charming blend of Pacific Northwest scenery, living history, and small-town hospitality.

Operated by the volunteer-driven nonprofit Battle Ground, Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie Railroad (BYCX), this heritage line brings the region’s logging and railroading past to life with seasonal excursions that roll through river valleys and rock cuts.

Among its most beloved traditions is the Santa Train, a festive holiday ride that has become a family ritual for locals and a memorable destination for visitors from across the region.

A Short History of a Storied Short Line

The rails that carry today’s excursion trains were laid in the early 20th century to connect the timber-rich uplands northeast of Vancouver with mills and markets downriver.

For decades, locomotives hauled logs, lumber, and farm produce across trestles and along the East Fork Lewis River, helping build the towns that dot the corridor. When freight dried up late in the last century, the line faced the fate of many short lines: weeds, weather, and the slow fade of disuse.

Clark County took an interest in preserving the corridor, and local rail enthusiasts stepped up. BYCX formed to restore track, equipment, and community access to the line, focusing on the stretch around Yacolt.

Their mission is simple and ambitious: preserve railroad heritage, share it with the public, and do it in a way that benefits local communities.

Today, the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad runs seasonal excursions most of the year, with summer trips highlighting waterfalls and forest vistas and autumn runs showcasing flaming maples and big-leaf yellows. But the holidays are when the railroad truly shines.

The Route: Tunnels, Trestles, and River Views

Excursions depart from the Yacolt depot and roll south toward Heisson, passing through classic Northwest scenery. The route typically includes a run through a short, hand-hewn rock tunnel and a crossing of the East Fork Lewis River on a historic steel bridge, with views of the river’s pools and rapids below.

Trains often pause near scenic areas such as Moulton Falls, where photogenic basalt ledges and evergreen canopies frame the tracks. Depending on the day and conditions, power is provided by either a vintage diesel locomotive or, on selected dates, a restored steam locomotive that adds its own soundtrack of huffs and whistles to the winter air.

The Santa Train Experience

The Santa Train is designed for families, but it retains the authenticity and texture that make heritage railroading special. You’ll check in at the Yacolt depot, where volunteers—many of whom have spent decades restoring and operating the line—greet everyone with the easy warmth of a small-town holiday market.

Coaches are decorated for the season and, importantly, heated. You’ll find a mix of enclosed cars and, occasionally, an open-air car that’s usually parked during the coldest spells but may be available for braver souls who want extra-fresh air and panoramic views.

As the train pulls out, the mood shifts from anticipation to cheer. Volunteers circulate with cocoa and cookies, carols play softly, and children press faces to windows as forests and farmsteads glide by. The highlight, of course, is Santa and Mrs. Claus.

They make their way through the train, visiting with each family, posing for photos, and offering a small treat to kids. The visit is unhurried; the ride is long enough—often around an hour and a half round-trip—to ensure that even crowded trains can give everyone time with the big man in red without a rushed feeling.

The Santa Train prioritizes the simple magic of being together, offline and unhurried, with a landscape that looks especially storybook after the first dusting of snow. Parents appreciate the legroom and the chance to relax.

Grandparents savor the nostalgia of steel wheels and gentle sway. Children, of course, want to know how Santa got onboard in the first place. Volunteers, who know the route and its lore well, add tidbits about the railroad’s history and the landmarks visible along the way.

Beyond the Train: Make a Day Of It

Yacolt and its surroundings offer easy ways to turn your Santa Train outing into a full holiday adventure. Depending on the weather and daylight, consider a short stop at nearby Moulton Falls Regional Park for riverside views, or visit local farms and small businesses for seasonal treats and gifts.

Many families like to plan a leisurely meal in Battle Ground or another nearby town before or after their ride. Part of the charm of the Santa Train is how it anchors a day filled with simple, local pleasures.

Why It Matters: Community, Preservation, and Wonder

Heritage railroads are never just about trains. They are about the people who remember them, the people who restore them, and the communities that call them their own.

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad is a model of what a small, volunteer-led operation can accomplish: preserving a historic corridor, creating hands-on educational experiences, and drawing visitors who support local shops and restaurants.

Ticket sales help fund track maintenance, equipment restoration, insurance, and the many behind-the-scenes tasks that keep the railroad safe and welcoming.

For many families, the Santa Train becomes a tradition that marks the start of the holiday season. The ritual—hot cocoa, conductor’s calls, a wave from the caboose, a tunnel echo—doesn’t just entertain; it helps create a shared story that children and grandparents alike will remember.

In a season that can feel busy and overproduced, the Santa Train offers something delightfully genuine: the simple thrill of a winter ride through the woods, with Santa along for the journey.

How To Stay Up To Date

Dates, departure times, equipment, and special offerings can vary from year to year. The best way to get accurate, current information is to check the Chelatchie Prairie's official website and social media pages as the holidays approach. If you have questions about seating, accessibility, group bookings, or weather-related changes, the volunteer team is responsive and helpful.

In the end, the railroad’s Santa Train captures what makes heritage railroading magical: familiar rituals, a sense of place, and the way a train ride transforms a landscape into a moving stage for wonder.

Whether it’s your first visit or the latest in a long-running family tradition, you’ll step off in Yacolt with warm cheeks, a few cookie crumbs, and the feeling that the holidays have truly arrived.