New Year’s Eve train rides
Themed train rides are a fun, slightly different way of experiencing train travel. There are endless opportunities for railroads to host events that are multigenerational, and thus, keep them growing in popularity. From holiday decor to murder mysteries to food-oriented trains, themed excursions offer a unique way for friends to gather or perhaps for couples to cozy up to one another. It’s the kind of night that one is sure to remember.
The following list offers you a novel way to celebrate the ending of 2024. A number of railroads host themed New Year’s Eve train rides for couples, friends, and families. Others offer their regular train/schedule, albeit with winter scenery. Each has something different to entice guests looking for a short adventure, whether it be day or night.
Let’s take a quick peek at a few themed trips on the horizon.
Note: This list is not all inclusive.
1. Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
New Year’s Eve Train & Fireworks
Nelsonville, Ohio
hvsry.org
Details: Hocking Valley Scenic Railway’s first NYE train ran in 2008 providing a unique opportunity to passengers. It was one of several themed trains introduced at the time. The NYE ride consists of the Baltimore & Ohio combine No. 1497, B&O day coach No. 3501, a trio of Rock Island commuter cars, two Canadian Pacific day coaches, Southern Pacific/Amtrak dining car No. 8063, and former Chesapeake & Ohio caboose No. 90921. Certain cars are either designated wine and cheese or pop and pizza — this will vary from year to year. There are two diesel locomotives used, with one on each end of the consist. Similar to the railroad’s Santa trains, the NYE train is adorned inside and out with colorful LED lights.
The event is planned months in advance and supplies (like fireworks) are accounted for. The night prior, staff must ensure the train is properly stocked. On the day of, crew and staff need to be prepared — the depot staff will sell tickets, the gift shop will assist customers, an engineer will wait in each locomotive alongside a brakeman, the conductor will be present alongside car hosts, and a dozen or so volunteers will be ready to go.
“No one is more important than the other and it is an all-hands-on-deck experience,” says Isaac Miller, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway secretary. “Our New Year’s Eve Train is an incredible experience that offers something for everyone.”
Tickets (for wine and cheese or pop and pizza) are purchased online and picked up at the depot. On board, party favors are dispersed and at 10:30 p.m. the train departs Nelsonville, Ohio for East Logan. All guests are welcome to get off the train and watch a midnight firework show. This 2-hour event sells out annually and caters to 400 people.
Fun NYE train facts:
• 225 hats and tiaras distributed
• 500 napkins crumpled
• 225 wine glasses sipped from
• 225 cheese boxes sampled
• 720 beads worn
2. Royal Gorge Route Railroad
New Year’s Eve Dinner Train
Canyon City, Colorado
royalgorgeroute.com
Details: Approximately, 250,000 people from around the world ride the Royal Gorge Route Railroad annually. The RGRR’s NYE dinner train was launched in 2010 to offer a more casual first-class dining experience on one of the most romantic nights of the year. The train consist varies each year but includes several Vista Dome, deluxe, and coach cars, along with an open-air car and onboard kitchen.
As the night begins, guests arrive at the historic Santa Fe Depot. Throughout the evening, guests are encouraged to visit the open-air car with a drink in hand to gaze out at a captivating Colorado night sky. The train ride includes a fully-stocked bar of microbrews, wine, and cocktails. The trip lasts roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, with the following features:
• A kick-off toast
• Three-course dinner
• A ride through Colorado’s Grandest Canyon
Fun NYE train fact:
• 500 plus bottles of champagne enjoyed
• At least one couple gets engaged
3. Nickel Plate Express
New Year’s Eve Soul Train
Noblesville, Indiana
nickelplateexpress.com
Details: It’s a party aboard a historic 1956 Santa Fe El Capitan train. It doesn’t get much more fun than this. Departing from Hobbs Station at 8 p.m., this ride is a 45-minute journey to Atlanta, Ind. There, you’ll enjoy an evening of classical music, delectable appetizers, and champagne. After midnight and the toast to new beginnings, you’ll return to the station. Two seating options are available: Diamond (Duke dining car) and Platinum (Reporter lounge). This is a one-of-a-kind experience (only offered this year). Themes will vary in years to follow.
This year (2024), the Nickel Plate Express is having a 1970s disco-themed celebration called NYE Soul Train.
This 5-hour event includes:
• Round trip on the Nickel Plate Express
• Dinner (buffet) at Earthly Endearments
• Best-dressed contest|
• Dancing and dessert
• Champagne toast and countdown
Fun Masquerade Express facts:
• 120 bottles total of sparkling wine, champagne, and cider served
• 140 masquerade masks worn|
• 400 balloons for the balloon drop|
• 121 staff hours for set up and event
(not including the planning)
4. Napa Valley Wine Train
Midnight In Paris: A Legacy NYE Celebration
Napa, California
winetrain.com
Details: The Napa Valley Wine Train had its NYE maiden voyage in 2023. The Wine Train itself, however, has been in service since the 1980s. The “Midnight in Paris” experience was brought to fruition by NVWT General Manager Nathan Davis. In conjunction with founder and winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich from Grgich Hills Estate, the NYE experience celebrates the victory of the Judgement of Paris wine tasting and includes the following 6-hour accommodations:
• Round trip on the Legacy Train that consists of a locomotive, two Pullman dining cars, and an open-air car
• Sparkling wine tasting and lunch
• 2-hour party at Grgich Hills Estate
• A toast and countdown to the ball drop (Paris time, 3 p.m. Napa time)
• Dancing and dessert
The NYE crew includes two chefs, one engineer, one conductor, one maitre d’, and two servers. The theme is fixed; the NVWT wants its future guests to have the opportunity to experience this and make it a tradition for years to come.
“NYE Legacy is truly an experience like no other. Along the way, memories were made that would last a lifetime, among strangers who quickly realized they were no longer strangers. Somewhere along the way they become friends, they become family and together … they welcomed the New Year.” — Nicolas Estefan, Maitre d’/Assistant Food & Beverage Manager
Fun NVWT NYE train facts:
• 56 desserts served
• 168 glasses poured
• 30 miles traveled
• 1 Cupid Shuffle danced
5. Belmond British Pullman
New Year’s Luxury Train Trip
London, England
luxurytraintickets.com
Details: This train offers the ultimate Black-tie event for you and your special someone. You are encouraged to dress to impress. On the British Pullman, you’ll be transported back into the 1920s Art Deco era as you enjoy a five-course dinner, champagne, a bottle of wine, and scenic journey through the British countryside. Table magicians will be entertaining guests throughout the evening. This is a round trip that departs London Victoria Station at 6:50 p.m. and returns at 12:30 a.m. Note: You might want to brush up on your table etiquette. This is a night where knowing your dinner fork from your salad fork may come in handy.
6. Tennessee Valley Railroad
New Year’s Eve Dinner Train
Chattanooga, Tennessee
tvrail.com
Details: The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum began operating NYE trains in the early 2000s. Behind the locomotive, the train consists of two dining cars and one premium Pullman car. There are three to four crew members and the kitchen/service staff is comprised of 12 to 15 people. This event is deemed a classic Chattanooga experience, one that sells out every year.
“I sometimes catch myself being complacent about what a unique experience TVRM offers. How many places can you eat on a moving train car from 1924?” says Zach Gilmore, road foreman of engines, operations supervisor. “This is TVRM at its best, offering an immersive trip that transports you to another era.”
The event caters to 136 guests annually and includes the following 2-hour accommodations:
• Four-course dinner
• Ride through urban East Chattanooga
Fun TVRM NYE Train fact:
• There have been a number of marriage proposals onboard over the years!
7. Roaring Camp Railroads
New Year’s Holiday Lights Train
Santa Cruz, California
roaringcamp.com
Details: Train departs from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for a 1-hour journey that includes light-up hula hoopers and a live DJ as you pass through the streets of Santa Cruz. Tickets are available for Dec. 26 to 31. Boardwalk locations may be available for food or beverages. However, no eating/drinking on the train. Adorned with thousands of holiday lights, these vintage cars are going to be wildly rolling through city streets, so stay tuned for tickets.
8. My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
New Year’s Eve Excursion
Bardstown, Kentucky
kydinnertrain.com
Details: My Old Kentucky Dinner Train has hosted NYE train excursions since the late 1980s. It’s a very traditional experience according to Marketing & Events Manager Veronica Gettinger. “We just like to have a regal party where folks can have a good time. The depot and train are decorated to the nines and our customers match the atmosphere,” she says. It’s also the biggest event of the year and planning takes roughly six months. Each train car has been restored to look like it did in the 1940s. And to get ready for the night’s festivities, it takes staff roughly five days to flip the depot building from Santa’s Winter Wonderland into a Glitzy Boogie Wonderland.
“We will have around 40 staff members running like a well-oiled machine on that train,” notes Gettinger. With 232 guests, all hands are needed. The trip lasts 3 hours, and includes the following accommodations:
• “Best Dressed Contest” per train
• Champagne greeting & souvenir flute
• Special elite bourbon offerings
• Toasting/signing with musicians
• 4-course meal and full bar
• NYE photo booth
• Four 1940s dining cars
• Mock midnight countdown and
champagne toast
“We work our magic to get our hands on some exclusive bourbons throughout the year and hold on to them for this one night,” says Gettinger. “On the top of each hour, we offer the sales of one particular bourbon after showcasing its title and flavor profile.”
Fun NYE train facts:
• 9 musicians
• 320 balloons
• 464 champagne glasses
• 275 bottles of champagne
• 150 Mardi Gras beads
• 250 noise makers
• 150 party tiaras
• 100 NYE hats/crowns
• 575 festive cocktail picks
9. New York Transit Museum
Holiday Nostalgia Train
Manhattan, New York
nytransitmuseum.org
Details: The “Holiday Nostalgia Train” R1/9s will be running between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The route is between 2nd Avenue on the uptown F line platform and 145th on the downtown D line platform. This is an annual tradition. The train consists of eight cars from the 1930s that ran throughout the system — along lettered lines — until the late 1970s. These rides serve as a visual reminder of NYC’s transit history. The Holiday Nostalgia rides are offered throughout December. Note: These are the cars that inspired the popular song “Take the A Train” by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.
This year, the Holiday Nostalgia Train will operate on Sundays in December.
Catch the vintage train between 10am and 5pm on Sunday, December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.
10. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Cascade Canyon Winter Train
Durango, Colorado
durangotrain.com
Details: Through the San Juan Mountains we go! This 5.25-hour round trip is offered on New Year’s Eve. Departing from Durango Depot at 9:15 a.m. and returning at 2:45 p.m. Tickets are available for presidential class, first class, deluxe class, and standard class. Children four and under are free, if they don’t need a seat. Views of the San Juan National Forest and Animas River can be observed from the inside of the heated coaches. Boxed lunches are available for order. Snacks and drinks can be purchased on the train. There is an hour layover in Cascade Canyon, which you can walk alongside the Animas River, have lunch, and take photos.
11. Skunk Train
Christmas Tree Train
Willits, California
skunktrain.com
Details: Exploring the world’s largest living Christmas tree. Departure is at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Willits depot. This is a 2-hour trip ($68.35) through the redwood forest. No assigned seating on this trip, and your furry, four-legged friend is welcome for an additional $12.49. Infants under two ride free. A commemorative gift is included with the VIP package ($100.65), along with advanced boarding and priority concessions. Nothing says holiday magic quite like a family-friendly adventure to Mr. Skunk’s Magical Workshop by the World’s Largest Christmas Tree.
Polar Express rides are also being offered on New Year’s Eve at several railroads throughout the U.S. These family-friendly shows/train rides are the same performances hosted on any other day/time.
Check out the “Holiday trains & Polar Express rides (2024)” article for more information on participating railroads/museums.
Check out the NYE feature in the December 2024 issue.
