North Pole Express at Union Depot (Saint Paul)

About this adventure

A short holiday train ride in restored vintage rail cars run by Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, leaving from Saint Paul Union Depot to a "North Pole" at the east end of the depot property. Children can write a letter to Santa during the ride; Santa greets the train at the North Pole, rides back with the passengers, walks through the cars to meet each child and collects their letters. Back inside the depot, children get a holiday treat from BNSF Railway, and there are extra children's activities in the building. Every passenger, including infants, needs a ticket, and tickets are checked in at the counter in the Concourse above the Kellogg Blvd entrance; the organizer advises allowing extra time to park and walk, and the depot notes that some cars may be cold, so dress for the weather. The ride is the group's largest yearly fundraiser.