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A South Carolina Christmas Train Ride In Winnsboro!

Published: October 29, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Tucked into the piney countryside just north of Columbia, the South Carolina Railroad Museum is where the state’s railroading past comes alive on steel rails.

Part museum, part operating railroad, it’s a place where families, history buffs, and adventure-seekers can climb aboard vintage equipment, hear the rumble of classic diesels, and experience railroading as it once was.

Among its seasonal highlights, nothing draws smiles quite like Santa’s North Pole Express—an immersive holiday train ride that has become a beloved tradition for thousands across the Midlands and beyond.

About the SCRM

The museum preserves and interprets South Carolina’s rail heritage through a collection of locomotives, cabooses, passenger cars, freight equipment, and railroad artifacts.

Unlike static museums, this is a living operation: restored equipment rolls across a historic short line, and visitors board for excursions through Fairfield County’s woodlands and former granite country.

The museum’s operating railroad, often referred to as the Rockton, Rion and Western, traces its roots to a quarry line that once hauled the region’s famous blue granite. Today, the rails carry memories and families, not stone—offering an evocative window into the era when railroads were the arteries of American life.

Beyond the rolling stock, you’ll find a depot with exhibits, interpretive signage, and a gift shop stocked with railroad-themed gifts and toys. Volunteers—many with decades of industry or preservation experience—keep the operation running, from maintaining track and equipment to greeting guests at the station.

Introducing Santa’s North Pole Express

Each holiday season, the museum transforms into a festive rail hub for Santa’s North Pole Express. Think twinkling lights, carols, and the excited chatter of kids bundled in scarves, waiting for the conductor’s all aboard. The train ride is designed as a family-friendly experience that blends classic holiday traditions with the magic of rail travel.

While exact features can vary by year, guests typically can expect:

• A timed, reserved-seat excursion lasting around an hour, suitable for young children.

• Decorated coaches and seasonal music that set a cozy, nostalgic mood.

• A visit from Santa—often with time for a quick hello and photos—plus friendly helpers who bring additional cheer.

• Interactive moments such as sing-alongs or storytelling, keeping the ride engaging from start to finish.

Why it’s so popular

The appeal is simple: it’s a genuine, unplugged experience built on tradition and community. Kids get an up-close meeting with Santa in an environment that feels special and personal, without the chaos of a mall.

Parents and grandparents appreciate the old-fashioned charm—vintage coaches, uniformed train crews, and the steady rhythm of wheels on rail. For many families, it becomes an annual ritual that marks the season.

There’s also the power of place. A train is inherently experiential—movement, sound, anticipation. As twilight settles over the pine forests and carols drift down the aisles, the North Pole feels just around the bend. The combination of a real train, real people, and real winter air is hard to replicate any other way.

Tips For Getting The Most Out Of It

Book early: Popular times and dates sell out quickly, particularly weekend evenings. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Dress for the season: Coaches are heated, but platforms can be chilly. Layers keep everyone comfortable, especially after sunset.

Add time for the museum: If your schedule allows, arrive with a cushion to visit exhibits, watch switching moves in the yard, or shop for a conductor’s cap or a model train car.

A Community-Powered Tradition

One of the most remarkable aspects of Santa’s North Pole Express is that it’s powered by people who care. Volunteers give countless hours to decorate coaches, rehearse scripts, polish brass, and keep the trains running.

Your ticket supports not just a memorable evening, but the year-round preservation of South Carolina’s rail history: track upkeep, restoration projects, and educational programming.

Many visitors return the favor by joining as members, donating, or volunteering—turning a single ride into a longer-lasting connection with a unique institution.

Beyond the holidays

If you fall in love with the experience, you’re in luck: the South Carolina Railroad Museum offers a full calendar of excursions throughout much of the year. These can include scenic Saturday rides, themed family events, and special-interest trips that spotlight the line’s history or unique rail equipment.

Seasonal offerings may feature spring or fall themes and occasional railfan-oriented events. In addition to rides, the museum’s collection invites deeper exploration—cabooses with cupolas, mail cars that once crisscrossed the country, and locomotives that symbolize the transition from steam to diesel.

Why It Matters

In a fast-moving, digital-first world, the South Carolina Railroad Museum offers something refreshingly tangible: craftsmanship, community, and continuity. Santa’s North Pole Express isn’t just a themed ride; it’s a living tradition that connects generations.

Children discover wonder in real-world experiences, grandparents relive a time when trains were king, and everyone shares the simple joy of going somewhere together. The rails may be old, but the memories feel brand new.

Whether you’re starting a new holiday tradition or reliving a cherished one, the South Carolina Railroad Museum’s Santa’s North Pole Express delivers a heartwarming journey—one that begins the moment the whistle blows and carries on long after the train glides back into the station.