BELLOWS FALLS — The historic Green Mountain Flyer will offer “magical train rides filled with holiday cheer” from Bellows Falls to the North Pole (Chester Station) and back again on Sunday, Nov. 19, according to a news release.
The ride includes Santa and the Grinch and caroling elves and special surprises. It is 45 to 60 minutes each way, with a 45-minute stop at the North Pole.
At the North Pole, each child meets Santa, a small ensemble of the handbell choir Saxtons River Ringers will play 12-bell holiday music, and Smokin' Bowls will offer soups, sandwiches, and more for purchase.
Tickets are available at Village Square Booksellers in Bellows Falls, Phoenix Books Misty Valley in Chester, online at www.susval.org or by calling 802-376-9534. The price is $25 for adults, $20 for kids 2 to 12, and free for under age 2 on your lap.
This scenic route has a heritage of tourism going back to 1964 when Monadnock Steamtown and Northern Amusement started running the stunningly beautiful Bellows Falls to Chester (North Pole) Route.
The historic engines and coaches, with everyone's favorite Christmas characters providing entertainment, will depart from the Bellows Falls train station two times: at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The historic BF station has a passenger waiting room outfitted for the holidays in the railroad's heyday including early 20th century benches from South Station in Boston and an “O” gauge model train set up as a cultural heritage representation of the industrial island.