New Mexico Christmas Train Rides In Santa Fe!

Published: December 3, 2025

Sky Railway, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is one of the newer names in the tourist-railroad world, but it runs over a line with deep roots in Western rail history. Today the operation blends storytelling, music, cocktails, and art with classic railroading, creating a distinctly Santa Fe experience along the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe branch between Santa Fe and Lamy. Among its most popular offerings is a family-friendly Christmas outing, Pablo’s Holiday Express, which turns the historic Lamy Depot into a winter wonderland each holiday season.

From Santa Fe Southern to Sky Railway

The railroad Sky Railway operates is hardly new. The 18-mile branch from Lamy to Santa Fe was opened in 1880 by the AT&SF as a spur from its main line across New Mexico, ensuring the territorial capital was connected to the transcontinental route. For generations, Santa Fe passengers detoured off the main line at Lamy to reach the city, and freight and local trains once rattled regularly over the line.

When the AT&SF ended service on the branch, a group of local investors stepped in and formed the Santa Fe Southern Railway in 1992, preserving the line as a short line handling limited freight and popular excursion trains. Over time, however, traffic declined and operations became sporadic, with passenger service ending for a period during the 2010s.

The turning point came in 2019–2020, when a new ownership group acquired the property. Among the investors were film entrepreneur Bill Banowsky and author George R. R. Martin, joined by other prominent Santa Fe residents such as writer Douglas Preston and artist Gary Oakley.

Their goal was to rescue the 141-year-old railroad and reimagine it as an arts-driven, experience-based attraction. The new brand, Sky Railway, formally launched excursion service in December 2021, bringing passengers back to the line for the first time in eight years.

A Rolling Piece of Santa Fe Culture

Sky Railway keeps the feel of a classic tourist line—vintage diesel locomotives and streamlined coaches once used by earlier railroads—but infuses it with Santa Fe’s vibrant arts and nightlife scene. The railroad’s cars, many of them ex-Santa Fe Southern stock, have been refurbished and painted with colorful murals, while interiors are set up for live music, bar service, and themed performances.

A typical Sky Railway trip departs either Santa Fe Depot or Lamy Depot and rolls through piñon-dotted desert, with sweeping views toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The company’s regular schedule includes several different “experiences,” such as:

Sunset Serenade, an evening run with champagne toast, cocktails, and onboard live music timed to the desert sunset.
The Stargazer, a night trip featuring storytellers or astronomers who interpret the famously dark New Mexico sky from an open-air flatcar.
New Mexico Ale Trail, Jazz Under the Stars, Santa Fe Scenic and Lore of the Land, each combining local beverages, regional history, and entertainment with the train ride.

Snacks and drinks, often featuring local breweries and wineries, are available onboard, and performers range from musicians and storytellers to costumed characters depending on the particular trip.

Pablo’s Holiday Express: A New Mexico Christmas Tradition

For families visiting during the Christmas season, Pablo’s Holiday Express has quickly become one of Sky Railway’s most beloved excursions. Rather than departing from downtown Santa Fe, this train operates out of the historic Lamy Depot—a classic wayside station that once saw Santa Fe passengers change from main-line trains to the branch line. Today, the depot is dressed for the holidays and transformed into a festive “Elf village” complete with decorations and seasonal activities.

A Festive Experience at Lamy

Guests are encouraged to arrive early, not only to board but to enjoy the pre-departure program at the depot. The experience begins with:

Story time with Mrs. Claus, who gathers children and parents for a cozy reading about how Santa and Pablito the Dragon saved Christmas in New Mexico—a tale that ties local lore and the railroad’s whimsical dragon mascot into the holiday narrative.
Complimentary hot cocoa, served during the story time, helping passengers warm up before stepping aboard the train.

As part of the event, children receive a small keepsake—traditionally a Christmas bell presented by Mrs. Claus—adding a tactile memory of their trip that recalls other classic holiday train traditions while still feeling uniquely New Mexican.

Throughout the depot area, Santa’s elves mingle with families, helping with photos, pointing out decorations, and building excitement for the journey. The atmosphere is deliberately immersive; Sky Railway leans into theatrical flair to make the entire evening feel like stepping into a storybook.

The Train Ride

Once story time concludes, passengers board Pablo’s Holiday Express for an hour-long round trip across the high desert. The consist typically includes enclosed coaches decorated with lights, garlands, and seasonal décor, along with live musicians or singers who lead holiday sing-alongs as the train rolls out of Lamy.

Key features of the onboard experience include:

Duration: Approximately one hour, ideal for families with younger children who may not be ready for a longer excursion.
Entertainment: Live music and carols, with staff and performers encouraging guests to join in the singing and general merriment.
Food & drink: While hot chocolate is included during the depot program, additional snacks and specialty holiday beverages are available for purchase once aboard.

The route itself offers classic New Mexico scenery—rolling desert, scattered juniper and piñon trees, distant mountain ranges—and, after dark, a backdrop of stars that often shine brightly in the thin high-plains air. Even in winter, the landscape adds its own kind of quiet, stark beauty to the trip.

Meeting Santa … and Pablito

Upon returning to Lamy Depot, the experience does not end at the platform. Families disembark into the decorated station, where Santa Claus is waiting for photographs and final holiday greetings. Children can share their Christmas wishes, pose for pictures, and admire the decorations and lights around the depot.

There is also the chance—especially popular with younger riders—to meet Pablito the Dragon in person. As Sky Railway’s whimsical mascot, Pablito ties together the story told earlier by Mrs. Claus with the railroad’s broader fantasy-and-art theme, reinforcing the idea that this is more than just a train ride; it is a living, interactive story.

Practical Details for Prospective Riders

Pablo’s Holiday Express is marketed as a family-friendly excursion for all ages, from lap infants to grandparents. Infants two and under typically ride free, while child and adult fares are tiered, with discounts available for New Mexico residents under the railroad’s “Land of Enchantment Local” program.

The train runs on select dates from late November through December, often with multiple departures each day—morning, mid-day, afternoon, and early evening—each paired with its own story-time slot at the depot. Because dates and times vary year to year, passengers are encouraged to consult Sky Railway’s online calendar and book ahead, as holiday departures can sell out quickly.

Lamy is located southeast of Santa Fe; many visitors drive or are shuttled from the city to the depot, combining time on the train with a day exploring Santa Fe’s Plaza, museums, and galleries. For railfans, the trip holds extra interest: the Lamy Depot remains an active Amtrak stop on the Southwest Chief route, and Sky Railway’s equipment often includes vintage locomotives and cars with Santa Fe and Santa Fe Southern heritage.

A Distinctly New Mexican Holiday Train

In an era when holiday trains have become popular across the country, Pablo’s Holiday Express stands out for its blend of regional flavor and theatrical storytelling.

The setting is real railroad history—a 19th-century branch line and depot that once connected the capital of New Mexico to the outside world. The experience, however, feels very much of the present: immersive characters, original stories about a dragon named Pablito, local music and beverages, and a commitment to supporting area artists and performers.

For visitors and locals alike, Sky Railway offers a way to experience the high desert by rail, with this holiday train ride providing a warm, family-oriented introduction to the line. Whether you come for the kids, the trains, or simply to see the New Mexico night wrapped in Christmas lights from a moving coach, it has quickly become a memorable addition to the region’s holiday traditions. To learn more about this holiday event and purchasing tickets please visit the Sky Railway's website.

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