Quick Details
Depart from Delano for a less-than-one-hour family holiday ride aboard heated vintage coaches. Every ticket includes a Santa visit, letter-writing activity, cookie and chocolate milk, and keepsakes.
Mistletoe Class Ticket
Coach seating · Age 1+ · Priced per seat
$ 30
Holly Class Ticket
Premium seating + ornament · Age 1+ · Limited accessibility
$ 45
Santa’s Hiwassee Holiday Train
Travel through the winter Hiwassee River Gorge aboard heated vintage coaches while children write to Santa, enjoy a cookie and chocolate milk, and meet Santa onboard.
Choose Your Seating Class
| Ticket | Price | Seating and Extras |
|---|---|---|
| Mistletoe Class | $30 per seat | Coach seating and the complete core holiday experience |
| Holly Class | $45 per seat | Premium dome, lounge, or observation seating, plus one keepsake ornament per family |
Both classes include the Santa visit, letter-writing activity, cookie and chocolate milk, holiday bell, and commemorative boarding pass. Holly Class uses historic premium cars that may be difficult for guests with mobility limitations.
This ride departs from Delano, Tennessee—not Chattanooga. Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure and dress warmly in case your family waits outdoors before boarding.
Popular weekend departures often sell out. Check availability and reserve your seats in advance.
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- Cookie and chocolate milk: A chocolate-chip cookie and chocolate milk are served onboard.
- Letter to Santa: Children can write a wish list and give it to Santa during his visit.
- Santa visit: Santa visits the train for greetings and photos.
- Scenic route: Travel through the Hiwassee River Gorge aboard heated vintage coaches.
- Keepsakes: Every passenger receives a commemorative boarding pass and holiday bell.
- Assigned seating: Families and linked groups are seated together.
Groups booking separately should use the same Primary Name on each reservation or contact TVRM to link the bookings.
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- A personal visit and photo opportunity with Santa
- Holiday treats and a letter-writing activity
- Heated vintage coaches
- Winter views along the Hiwassee River Gorge
- Assigned family seating and keepsakes to take home
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- Check in and board at Delano Station.
- Settle into your assigned seats and begin the letter-to-Santa activity.
- Enjoy a chocolate-chip cookie and chocolate milk while traveling through the Hiwassee River Gorge.
- Meet Santa, take photos, and give him completed letters.
- Receive a holiday bell and commemorative boarding pass.
- Return to Delano Station along the same scenic route.
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Feature Mistletoe Class
Coach seatingHolly Class
Premium seatingCookie and chocolate milk Included Included Letter to Santa activity Included Included Visit from Santa Included Included Holiday bell One per passenger One per passenger Keepsake ornament Not included One per family Seating Coach seating Dome, lounge, or observation seating, depending on availability Holly Class uses historic premium cars that may be difficult for guests with mobility limitations. Before booking, email [email protected] or call 423-894-8028 to discuss mobility needs and the best seating class.
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Route: This is an out-and-back ride through the Hiwassee River Gorge, so the train travels the same route in both directions. Views are available from both sides.
Duration: The train ride is less than one hour. Allow additional time for parking, check-in, and boarding.
Arrival: Arrive 20–30 minutes early. Guests may wait outside briefly before boarding, so dress warmly—especially children.
Seating: Seats are assigned in advance. Groups booking separately should use the same Primary Name or contact TVRM to link reservations.
Young children: Compact strollers must be folded and stored. Large strollers should remain in the vehicle.
Accessibility: Historic railcars have limited accessibility. Contact TVRM before booking to discuss boarding assistance and seating needs.
Comfort: Coaches are heated. Every passenger receives a commemorative boarding pass and holiday bell.
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How early should we arrive?
Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure for parking, check-in, and boarding. Delano operates on Eastern Time.
Is parking available?
Yes. Free parking is available at the Delano boarding location.
Can I use Lyft or Uber?
🚗 Using Lyft or Uber? Rideshare availability may be limited in Delano, especially when your train returns. If you are using Lyft or Uber to reach the station, please make arrangements for your return pickup in advance.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
Historic railcars have limited accessibility and cannot accommodate wheelchairs onboard. Guests who can board with assistance and use a standard seat are welcome. Before booking, email [email protected] or call 423-894-8028 to discuss mobility needs, boarding assistance, and the best seating class.
Can we bring a stroller?
Compact strollers must be folded and stored during the ride. Large strollers should remain in your vehicle because onboard storage is limited.
What happens if we miss our departure?
Trains cannot wait for late arrivals, and missed departures are not refundable. Contact the ticket office as soon as possible if you expect a delay.
How can separately booked guests sit together?
Use the same Primary Name on every reservation or email [email protected] to link the bookings. Unlinked reservations may be seated separately.
Are pets allowed?
Only service animals trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities are permitted onboard.
Can we bring food or drinks?
Water bottles and light snacks are permitted. Hot beverages and open drinks are discouraged. A cookie and chocolate milk are included.
What is the difference between Mistletoe and Holly Class?
Mistletoe Class offers coach seating. Holly Class offers premium dome, lounge, or observation seating, depending on availability, plus one keepsake ornament per family. Holly Class historic cars have more limited accessibility.
Is the train heated?
Yes. The coaches used for this experience are heated.
What should we bring?
Bring your digital or printed tickets, warm layers, a camera, and anything your family needs during the less-than-one-hour ride.
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Stay Connected with TVRM
Current 2026 dates and real-time ticket availability appear in the booking calendar on this page. For announcements about future holiday schedules, special events, and ticket releases, join the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum email list.