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A New Jersey Christmas Train Ride In Woodstown!

Published: November 16, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Tucked into the farm country of Salem County, New Jersey, the Woodstown Central Railroad has quickly become one of the region’s most talked-about excursion lines. Operated by SMS Rail Lines, a short line best known for its vintage Baldwin diesels, the railroad offers leisurely trips across the historic Salem Branch while preserving a slice of South Jersey’s rail heritage. Passenger service only began in 2022, yet the line already feels timeless thanks to its classic motive power and carefully restored 1930s-era equipment.

A Historic Line Reborn

The route used by Woodstown Central traces its roots to 19th-century predecessors of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines. The Salem Branch was originally constructed to link inland farming communities with river ports and larger main lines, providing a vital outlet for agricultural products and manufactured goods.

Over time, the line passed into Conrail and then local short line operators before being acquired by Salem County. In the 1990s SMS Rail Lines, headquartered at the Pureland Industrial Park in Bridgeport, New Jersey, built a reputation for handling freight with an eclectic fleet of vintage Baldwin diesels. When the county sought a new operator for the Salem Branch, SMS stepped in and later launched a dedicated excursion brand: the Woodstown Central Railroad.

The first public excursions rolled out of Woodstown in November 2022. Early trips used a vividly painted Baldwin S-12 diesel and a restored Reading caboose, giving riders a classic short-line experience through fields, woodlots, and small towns.

Since then, the operation has grown to include fully refurbished heavyweight coaches from the 1930s, upgraded track, and an expanding calendar of themed trains.

Steam Star: Woodstown Central No. 9

One of the line’s biggest draws is its steam locomotive, Woodstown Central No. 9. Built by ALCO in 1942 as a U.S. Army 0-6-0 switcher, the engine spent its early years shuttling cars at military bases such as Fort Dix and later Fort Eustis, where it helped train Army railroaders during and after World War II.

After military service, the locomotive worked for the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway and then the New Hope & Ivyland in Pennsylvania, hauling excursion trains well into the 1970s. Eventually it was sidelined and partially dismantled before SMS Rail Lines acquired the locomotive in 2009. A painstaking, multi-year restoration followed at SMS’s shops, culminating in Federal Railroad Administration certification in 2023 and debut in passenger service on the Woodstown Central later that year.

Today, No. 9 shares duties with SMS’s Baldwin diesels, including S-12 No. 304, offering visitors a rare chance to ride behind both vintage steam and historic first-generation diesels on the same railroad.

Riding the Salem Branch

The railroad's excursions typically depart from South Woodstown or Woodstown Station and operate over roughly 14–16 miles of the Salem Branch, with runs stretching toward Swedesboro in one direction and toward Mannington or Salem in the other. The combination of continuous welded rail and carefully maintained right-of-way provides a surprisingly smooth ride, yet the scenery is distinctly rural: open fields, farmsteads, woodlands, and small-town streetscapes.

Passengers ride in restored 1930s coaches, complete with plush seating, period styling, and large windows ideal for photography. The line’s basic scenic excursions are offered seasonally and often incorporate local events such as farm festivals and community celebrations, but it’s during the Christmas season that Woodstown Central truly comes into its own.

The Santa Claus Special

The flagship holiday trip is the Santa Claus Special, a roughly 60-minute excursion that has quickly become a family favorite. Guests board at Woodstown and settle into the softly lit, decorated coaches, where garlands, wreaths, and lights transform the train into a rolling Christmas parlor.

As the train heads out into the South Jersey countryside, Christmas standards and carols play softly in the background. Children eagerly watch the aisles for Santa’s arrival, and before long he makes his way through the train, spending a few moments with each family. On many departures, youngsters receive a small gift or keepsake, and there are plenty of opportunities for photos right at the seat, sparing families from long lines or rushed visits.

Onboard staff help maintain a relaxed pace, encouraging riders to savor the views of wintry fields, tree lines dusted with frost, and small towns decked out in lights. Some departures incorporate ground-side activities at the station—fire pits, food vendors, or seasonal treats—so families can linger before or after the ride.

The Candlelight Limited

For guests seeking a more atmospheric evening experience, the Candlelight Limited offers a different take on holiday rail travel. These trains depart after dark from Woodstown Station, with the cars softly illuminated to create a warm, intimate setting.

Rather than centering on extended visits with Santa, the Candlelight Limited focuses on ambience. Passengers can sit back as the train glides through the countryside, passing pools of farmyard light and clusters of house decorations while the interior glows with candles and subdued holiday lighting. The effect is reminiscent of a mid-20th-century Christmas Eve journey, when rail travel was still a common way to connect families and communities.

These trips are well-suited for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who want a calmer, more reflective outing. Onboard narration or brief historical notes about the line are sometimes offered, connecting the modern excursion to its 19th-century roots and to the broader story of railroading in South Jersey.

The Yuletide Special

Rounding out the holiday offerings is the Yuletide Special, a shorter train ride closely tied to Salem’s “Yuletide Tour of Homes” and other community festivities. Typically operating during the afternoon, these trips give visitors a quick taste of the Woodstown Central experience while preserving time to explore downtown events.

Passengers board restored 1930s coaches for a brief journey along the Salem Branch, accompanied by Christmas music and a visit from Santa. Rather than a lengthy sit-down visit, Santa’s appearance is more of a festive walkthrough—a chance for a quick greeting, a wave, and perhaps a photo as the train rolls along. The format works well for families juggling multiple activities in town, as it adds a rail element to a broader day of holiday sightseeing.

Because the Yuletide Special is often scheduled to mesh with walking tours and other events, it also serves as an introduction to the railroad for many first-time riders who later return for the longer Santa Claus Special or Candlelight Limited.

Planning A Visit

Woodstown Central’s holiday trains typically operate on select dates from late November into December, with multiple departures on peak days. Exact schedules, fares, and seating options vary from year to year and are published on the railroad’s website and social media channels.

Because many trains sell out—especially prime Santa Claus Special departures and weekend Candlelight Limited runs—advance reservations are strongly recommended. Families may wish to arrive early to allow time for parking, ticket pickup (if necessary), and photos around the station area, where the vintage locomotives and coaches provide plenty of railfan-worthy scenes.

Whether you’re drawn by the whistle of steam behind No. 9, the throb of a Baldwin S-12, or simply the chance to share a Christmas outing with loved ones, the Woodstown Central Railroad offers a distinctive way to celebrate the season.

Its trio of holiday trains—the family-friendly Santa Claus Special, the atmospheric Candlelight Limited, and the community-focused Yuletide Special—combine small-town charm with authentic railroad heritage, making this young excursion line a standout addition to the roster of Christmas rail experiences in the Northeast.  To learn more about planning your Christmas train ride aboard the railroad please click here to visit their website.