West Chester Lists Its 2026 Holiday Trains

Published: November 13, 2026

The West Chester Railroad has two holiday trains on its events list for 2026. The Christmas Tree Train is a two-hour morning trip to cut a tree. Santa’s Express is a separate 75-minute ride, and Santa is on that train only. Neither event page prints a day-by-day calendar. The events index does not either. Book the day on the railroad site.

The West Chester Railroad's holiday trains are popular eastern Pennsylvania seasonal favorites hosted each November and December. West Chester Railroad photo.

Christmas Tree Train

The railroad says it is running the Christmas Tree Train again for the 2026 holiday season, with Wiggins Tree Farm in West Chester. The train leaves Market Street Station promptly at 8:00 a.m. Riders get coffee, hot chocolate, and fresh donuts from the snack bar. At the farm they get off, pick a tree, and cut it with hand saws the farm provides. The tree is banded, tagged, and loaded on a flat car. Back in West Chester it is unloaded for pickup. The railroad says it will help load a tree into a car, and that securing it for the highway is up to the rider.

An unreserved adult seat is $35. Children ages 2 to 12 are $30. The tree is not in the ticket. The page sets the 2026 tree price for ticket holders at $90, and it says Wiggins takes only cash or check for trees. It also says tree prices are at the discretion of the farm. Santa will not be on this train. Tickets bought on the railroad website are non-refundable. A transfer to another train of the same sort is possible if the rider writes at least 24 hours ahead and space is open. The page says a refund is given only if the railroad cancels. Check-in copy asks riders to arrive at least 15 minutes early.

Santa’s Express

Santa’s Express is a heated, decorated train through Chester Creek Valley. The page says Santa greets riders at Market Street Station, then rides to Glen Mills and back. He visits passengers while the train is moving, poses for family photos, and hands out goodies. He does not get off at Glen Mills. The stop there is a short one for portable restrooms. The station is open for anyone who wants a brief look inside. There is no line to see Santa at the station, which the page contrasts with past years. Live entertainment rides along. Snacks and drinks are for sale. There are no restrooms on the train. Strollers are not allowed. The coaches are heated, and the page still says to dress for the weather outside.

The whole trip is 75 minutes: 30 minutes to Glen Mills, 15 minutes there, and 30 minutes back. The page does not print a fare. It says holiday trains sell out, seating is sold to the capacity of the train, and walk-up seats are only whatever is left. Tickets not redeemed 5 minutes before departure can be sold to walk-ups. A confirmation sheet is not a ticket. Bring it to the window, on paper or on a phone. The day-of instructions say to be at the railroad at least 20 minutes before departure. A separate check-in line says 15 minutes. Parking at West Chester holds one trainload, so a later trip may have to wait for a space. Tickets are non-refundable. Rain, snow, or shine, the railroad runs unless it cancels. A transfer needs space and has to be requested up to 24 hours before departure.

The table car sits behind the locomotive, with 12 tables and room for 48 guests, four to a table. Those seats are reserved. Riders pick from what is left when they buy. A musician stays in the car for the trip. Riders may bring food and drink or buy from the snack bar. Santa still visits each table. Unless a party buys all four seats, another group may share the table. The page does not print a table-car price. Coach parties who want to sit together have to board together. The crew seats riders from the front of the train toward the rear and does not hold seats.

Where to board

The contact page gives the boarding point as Market Street Station, 230 E. Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382. It says the railroad has no regular office hours, that email is the best contact, and that riders should not call about online tickets. The phone, (610) 430-2233, is for a railroad emergency. The route page describes the ordinary trip as 90 minutes between Market Street and Glen Mills, on a line it calls part of the old Pennsylvania Railroad central division, the West Chester and Phoenixville branch. That 90-minute figure is not the holiday schedule. The tree train is listed at two hours, and Santa’s Express at 75 minutes.

Sources

West Chester Railroad, “Christmas Tree Train,” wcrailroad.com/christmas-tree-train/, read November 13, 2026. The 2026 season with Wiggins Tree Farm. Departure 8:00 a.m. Fares $35 and $30. Tree price $90 for ticket holders, cash or check. Santa is not on this train.
West Chester Railroad, “Santa’s Express,” wcrailroad.com/santas-express/, read November 13, 2026. 75 minutes, split 30, 15, and 30. No fare and no calendar on the page. Table car described, not priced.
West Chester Railroad, “All Events,” wcrailroad.com/events/, read November 13, 2026. Both trains are listed. No dates and no Santa fare.
West Chester Railroad, “The Route,” wcrailroad.com/the-route/, read November 13, 2026. Ordinary trips of 90 minutes. Pennsylvania Railroad central division, West Chester and Phoenixville branch.
West Chester Railroad contact page, opened November 13, 2026, at wcrailroad.com/directions.html. Boarding address 230 E. Market St., West Chester, PA 19382. Emergency phone (610) 430-2233.

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West Chester Lists Its 2026 Holiday Trains

Christmas Tree Train

Santa’s Express

Where to board

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Sources