North Carolina Christmas Train Rides In New Hill!
Published: November 23, 2025
By: Adam Burns
Tucked into the piney woods of southern Wake County, just a short drive from Raleigh, the New Hope Valley Railway is one of North Carolina’s most charming heritage railroads. Operated entirely by volunteers and home to the North Carolina Railway Museum, this living history attraction has been delighting families, railfans, and curious day-trippers for decades. Its mission is simple but powerful: preserve the state’s railroading past by putting real trains on real tracks—and inviting you aboard.
About The Railroad
History
Today's rides are hosted along roughly 4 miles of former original Norfolk Southern Railway trackage between Bonsal and New Hill, North Carolina. However, the origins of this line can be traced back to the original New Hope Valley Railroad chartered in 1904.
It would eventually go on to join the old (original) Norfolk Southern Railway that connected Norfolk, Virginia with Charlotte, North Carolina. Today's excursions began in 1982 when the East Carolina Chapter, NRHS formed the New Hope Valley Railway. In 2008 the group was renamed as the North Carolina Railway Museum.
Today's Excursions
The railway’s excursion rides typically last about an hour and cover a few miles of historic track near the unincorporated community of Bonsal (close to New Hill, Apex, and Holly Springs).
Known locally as “the Triangle’s Train,” New Hope Valley Railway offers a surprisingly immersive experience. Instead of static displays behind ropes, you get the sounds of horns and bells, the gentle sway of the cars, the scent of creosote and pine, and the scenery of a Carolina forest rolling by. The passenger consist usually includes open-air cars and vintage coaches pulled by preserved diesel locomotives. On select dates, the railway also operates steam-powered trips, a crowd favorite when available.
As a museum, the site features historic rolling stock, cabooses, and exhibits that tell the story of regional railroading and the small towns that grew up around it. There’s also a popular garden-scale model railroad that children love to watch before or after their ride.
Volunteers—conductors, engineers, car hosts, docents, and behind-the-scenes crews—keep everything running. Many are lifelong rail enthusiasts, while others simply love sharing a hands-on piece of North Carolina history with visitors.
Santa Express
While the railway’s regular excursions run much of the year, the calendar really comes alive with themed events. The Santa Express, held during the Christmas season, is the most anticipated of them all. It’s the day when the museum grounds transform into a festive depot, and the train becomes a rolling holiday celebration for all ages.
What makes the Santa Express special isn’t just the decorations, though there are plenty of twinkling lights and seasonal touches across the property. It’s the atmosphere of cheerful bustle that feels like a holiday postcard brought to life.
Families arrive bundled in coats and hats, clutching thermoses and anticipation. Volunteers greet guests with the practiced warmth of seasoned hosts. Holiday music drifts through the station area. Kids scan for the first glimpse of the big man in red.
Once aboard, the ride offers exactly what you hope for: time together. As the train sets off, the world slows to the gentle clatter of wheels on rail. The wooded landscape frames the experience with winter’s quiet beauty, and the open-air cars give a crisp, bracing feel that’s tailor-made for December.
Children peer over the sides for a glimpse of reindeer decorations or a friendly wave from a trackside volunteer. Inside the coaches, families chat, sip warm drinks they brought along, and keep their cameras ready.
Santa is the star of the show, of course, and he makes time to visit with children on board. Expect big smiles, short conversations, and plenty of photo opportunities.
It’s a wonderfully informal, close-up experience—more like meeting a friend than standing in a long mall line. Many families make it an annual tradition, returning year after year to re-create their favorite snapshots as the kids grow.
After The Trip
Back at the station, the holiday mood continues. You’ll often find seasonal displays, the model railroad in motion, and volunteers ready to answer questions about the equipment.
The gift shop is a great place to pick up train-themed stocking stuffers, local souvenirs, and kids’ conductor hats. The whole scene feels handcrafted because it is—planned and executed by an all-volunteer crew that takes pride in getting the details right.
Practical Tips
Because the Santa Express is so popular, tickets typically sell out early. If this ride is on your wish list, keep an eye on the railway’s official announcements and book as soon as dates are released.
Trains run on specific December weekends and sometimes select weekdays, with multiple departures per day. Seating is assigned per car and departure time. Arrive early to check in, explore the grounds, and settle in without rushing—30 to 45 minutes ahead is a comfortable buffer.
First Time Visitors
For first-time visitors wondering what to expect beyond the Santa Express, the New Hope Valley Railway offers a full slate of themed rides throughout the year—spring and summer excursions, fall events, and specialty runs.
Each trip is anchored in the same core experience: being on a real train with a real crew, connecting past and present in a way that’s both educational and entertaining. School groups and scout troops often visit for field trips and badge work, and the museum’s hands-on vibe makes it a magnet for locomotive lovers of all ages.
Final Thoughts
For families seeking a holiday tradition, the Santa Express hits a sweet spot. It’s festive without being frenetic, nostalgic without being fussy, and memorable without requiring elaborate planning. You get the magic of trains, the delight of meeting Santa, and the simple pleasure of sharing an unhurried hour together. In a season that can easily become a blur, that may be the greatest gift of all.
Details such as dates, departure times, ticket availability, pricing, and onboard offerings can change from year to year, so always check the New Hope Valley Railway’s official channels before you go. Plan ahead, arrive early, bundle up, and bring your holiday spirit. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, the Triangle’s Train is ready to make your season bright.
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