Archive
Santa taking part in Holiday Festival of Trains this weekend
BALTIMORE — Santa will be taking the train from the North Pole to Baltimore and arriving at the B&O; Railroad Museum’s famed 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse on Friday at 10:30 a.m. to kick off this year’s Holiday Festival of Trains and will greet visitors throughout the day.
The festival will include a traditional celebration of toy and model railroads along with weekend holiday musical entertainment. Visitors also will have the chance to see the museum’s permanent HO model train layout in the C&O; No. 725 passenger car and outdoor G-scale model train garden. This year, however, the B&O; has some new goodies in the works, including a train ride with Santa.
On weekends, starting Saturday through Dec. 21, Santa will hop onboard the museum’s train rides to ride the rails with visitors. Also, “Santa’s Secret Shop” will be hidden within the museum where, once discovered, children will have the opportunity to purchase their very own gifts for family and friends. There will also be holiday stories and videos, a craft area for children to decorate a train themed ornament, and the opportunity to have your photo taken at the new Dr. Coupler’s B&O; Railroad Photorium.
The museum is located at 901 W. Pratt St. and free parking is available.
The B&O; Railroad Museum’s second location, the B&O; Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station is celebrating its 25th annual Holiday Festival of Trains this season. The site, which is the oldest railroad station in America and the original terminus of the first 13 miles of commercial track in the country, has holiday fun in the works as well.
The stars of this year’s Ellicott City Station celebration are a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine G-scale model layout and a new custom-built, 360-degree O-scale layout. Visitors can see what Santa wore in the days of yore when Victorian Santa visits this weekend. On Friday and Sunday, Santa will appear as he did 1862 and on Saturday, he will be in his 1848 attire. Santa will return in his modern day garb on Saturdays, Dec. 13 and 20 to greet visitors in the station’s very own red caboose. During the 25th Annual Holiday Festival of Trains at B&O; Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station, children may even bring in their letter to Santa and drop it off at the station’s telegraph office.
The B&O; Railroad Museum offers a combo ticket so visitors can experience both of these locations at a reduced rate. Combo tickets can be purchased at either B&O; Railroad Museum location. Visit borail.org to learn more.
