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A Wisconsin Christmas Train Ride In East Troy!

Published: October 31, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Tucked into the rolling countryside of southeastern Wisconsin, the East Troy Electric Railroad is a living remnant of America’s interurban era—those early-20th-century electric railways that stitched towns together before highways and automobiles took over.

Today, this nonprofit museum and heritage line offers far more than a history lesson. It operates vintage electric railcars over a preserved stretch of track between the charming village of East Troy and the farm fields near Mukwonago, inviting passengers to slow down, listen to the soft hum of traction motors, and enjoy a ride that feels both timeless and delightfully local.

And when the holidays arrive, the railroad becomes a festive favorite thanks to its Christmas Trains, a family tradition that pairs small-town warmth with the magic of an old-fashioned trolley ride.

A brief history and Rare Survivor

The East Troy line traces its roots to The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company (TMER&L), part of a once-vast regional network of interurbans that carried commuters, shoppers, and farm goods around southeast Wisconsin.

Like many electric railways of its era, the line was built both to provide transportation and to stimulate demand for electric service in towns outside major cities. Passenger service on most interurban routes faded as cars and buses rose, but a seven-mile segment between East Troy and the Mukwonago area survived.

The Village of East Troy kept it intact for freight and community connection, and later, a nonprofit organization transformed it into the operating museum travelers know today. The result is one of the nation’s few places where you can ride historic electric equipment over original interurban right-of-way under live overhead wire.

What You’ll Ride and Where You’ll Go

The railroad’s collection includes restored streetcars and interurban coaches that once ran in Midwestern cities and on regional lines. Inside, you’ll find classic woodwork or mid-century simplicity, rows of period seats, brass fittings, and windows that frame fields, farmsteads, and woodlots.

Volunteers maintain the rolling stock and the infrastructure—track, overhead trolley wire, and substations—so the experience is not just a display but the real, living operation of an electric railway.

Most public rides start at the historic East Troy depot, which houses a small museum and gift shop. From there, trains roll through the countryside to a turnaround point near Mukwonago, commonly stopping at the locally beloved Elegant Farmer, known for its orchards and “pie in a bag.”

The round trip typically runs about an hour and change, depending on scheduled stops and the event. Because the equipment and schedule can vary by season and by special event, it’s smart to check the railroad’s official website for current details before you go.

The Holiday Transformation: Christmas Trains

As autumn colors give way to winter sparkle, the railroad’s Christmas Trains become the headline act. Vintage cars are dressed with seasonal décor, the depot glows with twinkle lights, and the ride takes on the feel of a storybook outing.

While specifics can change from year to year, families can generally expect a themed, reserved-seating experience that blends the romance of historic railroading with kid-friendly holiday traditions.

A typical Christmas Train journey departs from the East Troy depot and travels to a festively staged stop where Santa makes an appearance—often at or near the Elegant Farmer.

Along the way, volunteers bring cheer with holiday music, decorations, and the kind of personal attention that makes this a community event as much as a train ride.

At the destination, children usually have the chance to meet Santa, share wish lists or letters, and pose for photos. Hot chocolate and cookies are a common part of the experience, and many years include small treats or tokens for the kids.

Because the cars are historic, the atmosphere feels intimate and authentic. You hear the whirr of traction motors, feel the smooth acceleration of electric power, and watch winter fields and forests slip by.

For adults, it evokes a time when travel was part of the holiday ritual. For children, it’s a charming, manageable adventure—long enough to feel special, short enough to keep attention, and filled with cozy details like fogged windows and twinkle lights.

The organization hosts both daytime Christmas Trains and nighttime trips.  Ticket prices for the daytime excursions are always slightly cheaper while the nighttime rides are somewhat higher, especially on the weekends.

Parade Trains

The Parade Train has been an East Troy tradition since 1972.  This experience does not host public passengers and is for viewing only.  It is held one night only in early December.

How to plan your visit for the holidays

Tickets and timing: Christmas Trains are among the railroad’s most popular events and often sell out well in advance, especially on peak weekend dates between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Secure tickets as early as possible and pay attention to whether seats are assigned or general admission for your chosen date.  Please click here to visit their website.

Weather and comfort: The cars used in winter are enclosed and heated, but Wisconsin weather can be brisk. Dress in layers and bring hats and gloves for time spent on platforms or at the Santa stop.
- Parking and check-in: Plan to arrive early to handle parking, ticket pickup, and boarding without rush. The depot’s display area and gift shop are nice pre-ride diversions for kids.

Photos and keepsakes: Bring a camera or phone with a good low-light mode. Holiday lighting is atmospheric but dimmer than daylight. The gift shop often stocks railroad-themed ornaments, books, and souvenirs that make thoughtful mementos.

Local tie-ins: Pair your ride with a stop at the Elegant Farmer for seasonal treats, or explore East Troy’s charming village square. Small restaurants and cafes nearby make it easy to turn the outing into a full afternoon or evening.

What Sets This Experience Apart

Many holiday train events around the country use diesel locomotives or static displays. The Christmas Trains are special because they’re fully electric, operating exactly as interurbans did: current flows from overhead wire to trolley poles, powering cars designed for this purpose.

That authenticity matters. It’s not just a themed ride; it’s a preserved technology at work, maintained by a community of volunteers who love sharing it. The line itself is original, connecting farm country and village streets in a way that feels close to the era when electricity—and electric railways—were modern marvels.

The People Behind The Magic

The railroad is run by a nonprofit organization and powered by volunteers—restorers, car hosts, conductors, motormen, and behind-the-scenes specialists who keep cars, track, and electrical systems in good order.

Holiday operations add layers of logistics: scheduling, decorating, hospitality, Santa coordination, and crowd management. If you enjoy your visit, consider supporting the organization through memberships, donations, or even volunteering. Your contribution helps preserve the cars and the skills needed to maintain them, ensuring future generations can experience the same joy.

Beyond December: Reasons to Return

While the Christmas Trains are the headliners of the winter calendar, the East Troy Electric Railroad offers themed events throughout its operating season. Spring and summer bring family-friendly rides with stops for picnics, seasonal food partnerships, and occasional specialty trains.

Autumn offers scenic views as the route’s woods and wetlands shift to gold and russet. If your first visit is for the holidays, you may find yourself planning a return trip in warmer weather to see the route in a different light.

Making It Your Tradition

Part of what makes the trains so endearing is their scale. This is not a massive theme park production; it’s a regional treasure where the details are personal and the setting is real.

Children remember the feel of the seats, the friendly conductor who punched their tickets, the distant glow of farm lights in the snow. Adults savor the slower pace and the knowledge that they’re participating in the care of a rare piece of American history.

If you go, go prepared—book early, dress for the season, and plan a little buffer time to enjoy the depot and local flavors. Then settle in, listen for the bell, and watch the countryside roll by under a canopy of winter sky. It’s a short journey in miles, but a satisfying step back into a gentler kind of holiday cheer, powered by the quiet hum of a century-old idea still going strong.