New Hampshire Christmas Train Rides In Lincoln!
Published: November 28, 2025
By: Adam Burns
New Hampshire’s winters have a way of turning the Lakes Region and White Mountains into a living snow globe. When the first flakes dust the pines along the Pemigewasset River and the shoreline of Lake Winnipesaukee turns quiet and glassy, Granite State Railway ushers in the season with its beloved Santa Express—an old-fashioned holiday train that blends small-town warmth with the magic of railroading.
What Is The Granite State Railway?
The Granite State Railway offers excursion experiences over the Plymouth & Lincoln Railroad, a Class III short line freight carrier in central New Hampshire. This system has been in operation since 1987 when it acquire 54 miles of the former Boston & Maine between Lincoln and Tilton.
The railroad also operates the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, known for its lake-hugging rides between Meredith and Weirs Beach during the warmer months. This dual identity—part working freight railroad, part heritage excursion operator—gives Granite State Railway a uniquely authentic foundation. You’re not just boarding a theme ride; you’re traveling on rails that still support real commerce and connect communities, just as they have for generations.
Where the Santa Express Runs
The Santa Express typically departs from stations along the Plymouth & Lincoln corridor, from Lincoln in the heart of the White Mountains. The trip lasts about 60 minutes in total offering three different levels of service; standard coach, first class, and finally premier.
The spirit of this unique holiday experience is constant: twinkling coaches, friendly crews, and a festive journey through winter landscapes that feel tailor-made for a Christmas card.
What to Expect Onboard
The Santa Express is designed with families in mind. Expect a comfortable, relaxed pace aboard heated, vintage passenger coaches dressed for the holidays. As the train pulls away from the station, car hosts set the tone with holiday music, gentle narration, and friendly banter. The windows become picture frames for snow-dusted pines, frozen riverbanks, rustic trestles, and mountain silhouettes.
Highlights
- A visit from Santa (and sometimes Mrs. Claus), making time to greet children at their seats
- Hot chocolate and cookies served onboard
- Photo opportunities with Santa, so bring a camera or phone
The experience is intentionally unhurried—more like a living room on rails than a theme park ride. Conductors and car attendants are pros at helping families settle in, keeping kids engaged, and offering tidbits about the route and the railroad’s history. If you’re lucky, you may hear a short anecdote about the line’s freight work or the earlier era when these tracks were part of a much larger New England network.
A Sense of Place
Granite State Railway’s routes highlight what makes New Hampshire a compelling winter destination. From Lincoln, the train follows the Pemigewasset River Valley, where ice shelves and evergreen stands create a serene winter palette.
Around Meredith, the tracks glide beside Lake Winnipesaukee, offering peekaboo views of coves, boathouses, and snow-capped islands. Dusk rides are especially atmospheric: as the sky deepens and the car lights glow warm against the frost, the train feels like a moving hearth.
Why Families Love It
It’s stress-free. Once you’re onboard, the schedule is set, the kids have a destination (Santa!), and there’s no traffic to fight.
It’s authentic. You’re on a real railroad operated by railroaders, not a temporary attraction. That authenticity resonates with both children and train-loving adults.
It’s memory-rich. The combination of music, treats, and scenery creates natural moments for photos and traditions you can repeat year after year.
The Railroad Behind the Magic
Part of what makes Granite State Railway’s Santa Express resonate is the organization’s year-round connection to the rails. Operating on the Plymouth & Lincoln, a Class III short line, the team balances freight responsibilities with excursion operations.
That dual mission keeps skills sharp, equipment well-maintained, and the stories genuine. Meanwhile, the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad side of the operation broadens the geographic footprint, introducing visitors to both mountain valleys and lake vistas—all within a couple hours of Boston and the Seacoast.
Community and Tradition
Holiday trains are more than a seasonal product; they’re a community ritual. Local families return year after year, marking milestones as children grow from shy Santa visitors into budding railfans.
The railroad’s seasonal hiring and station commerce support local jobs, while riders spill into nearby shops and restaurants, adding shoulder-season vitality to small businesses. For many, the Santa Express is the unofficial start to the holidays—a cue to slow down, reconnect, and remember that simple joys matter.
A Final Word
The Santa Express is a gentle reminder that the holidays don’t have to be complicated. A warm coach, a whistle’s echo across a snowy river, cocoa in mittened hands, and a visit from Santa—these are the ingredients for a memory that lingers long after the tree is undecorated. Granite State Railway’s blend of true railroad heritage and heartfelt hospitality makes that memory possible, one train ride at a time. To learn more about the railroad's Santa Train please click here.
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