All Aboard Santa’s North Pole Express in Winnsboro, SC

Trains with History

The South Carolina Railroad Museum, located in Winnsboro, SC, is just a short drive outside of Columbia, and only 70 minutes from Charlotte. The railroad museum may be off the beaten path, but don’t be fooled by this small-town operation. This hidden gem is listed on the National Register of Historic Places! In fact, all trains at the SC Railroad Museum, operable and inoperable, are all considered historic.

Get by With a Little Help From Your Friends

The South Carolina Railroad Museum is a non-profit organization, and because of that, it is operated almost entirely by volunteers and funded by donations. As a matter of fact, there are only two part-time paid employees, Office Administrators Tiffanie Kozusko and Brian Jolly. However, Kozusko is quick to point out that she can’t take all the credit. She says that it’s truly the outsiders, volunteers and contributions that make this operation go round.

Kozusko says, “The museum is fueled by our volunteers. Without them and their dedication, the museum could not exist. We are always looking for more volunteers to help!” Visit The South Carolina Railroad Museum website for volunteer opportunities with the museum.

Winter Wonderland

During the month of December, the museum truly transforms into the perfect winter wonderland! They offer two different train experiences, the daytime Santa’s North Pole Express Train and the nighttime Santa’s Twilight Train.

For the 2026 season, Santa’s North Pole Express runs the first three Saturdays in December — December 5, 12, and 19 — while Santa’s Twilight Express, the evening ride, runs Friday and Saturday, December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19.

On each of its Saturdays, the North Pole Express offers three departures — 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 3:00 pm — so there is a train for most family schedules. Santa’s Twilight Express is an evening ride, departing at 6:00 pm. Whichever train you choose, plan to check in at the ticket office for boarding passes at least 20 minutes before departure — boarding gates close 10 minutes prior.

My Santa North Pole Express Train Trip

I was fortunate enough to take a ride on Santa’s North Pole Express train with my own family. I’ll be the first to tell you, this whole holiday train thing is all new to me. I have never experienced a North Carolina Polar Express train ride, but I feel fortunate to walk into this cozy, small-town train ride with no comparisons and no expectations.

Christmas Crowds

After a short 30-minute drive to the South Carolina Museum, I immediately eyed a crowded car-filled parking lot. My heart drops for a moment, and I think I must be late! My fears dissipate immediately after Board Trustee and parking attendant volunteer, Pat Walker, happily greets me and asks if I’m there for the 12 o’clock train. “Don’t worry, you have plenty of time! The 11 o’clock train hasn’t yet returned to the station but find a parking spot down on the right, and make your way toward the tracks,” Walker says cheerfully.

Walker is right, there is no rush in sight, everyone is buzzing with anticipation and musing at all the holiday decor. A man appears near the tracks and announces loudly to the crowd to begin lining up once we see the 11 o’clock train re-entering the station.

Pajama Party

I take in the festive sites and sounds, and one of my daughters points out the inflatable Santa and Toy Solider nearby. The crowd is large. Many children and even adults are wearing holiday pajamas, while others are dressed in their holiday finest coats and shoes. I notice the restrooms, conveniently located near the tracks. They encourage everyone,  especially your little ones, to use the restroom prior to boarding the train, as it has no restrooms! 

When it’s time to board, the coach passengers enter in one line and the first class passengers in another. We quickly find our seats in the coach-section. The coach seats in our train car are blue leather table seats, also known as facing seats. My mom, 3-year-old and 11-month-old daughters and I have plenty of room on and between the spacious table seats.

Baby, it’s Cold Inside

As the train cars are not heated, I highly recommend bringing along a heavy coat, hand warmers, and/or blankets. We are warm enough with coats, but on a chillier day, I know I would likely need a blanket.

Each train car is assigned a car host, an attendant, who provides safety instructions, keeps an eye on the train car and punches passengers’ tickets. Our car host, Ian, walks the train car, and when the time comes, announces when Santa is nearby.

Ho, Ho, Ho

Moments later, a jolly ole Santa appears in the doorway of our train car. Mixed reactions from the children spread throughout the train car, and as some hide in fear (my three-year old), others exclaim excitedly pointing to the man dressed in red, “Santa! It’s Santa!”

Santa takes his time weaving in and out of the train car seats, spending a surprisingly amount of quality time with each child and family. When he reaches our seats, he kindly asks, “May I come sit here,” gesturing to the empty seat beside my mom. My three-year-old reluctantly nods “yes,” and my baby stares at him, trying to determine if she likes him or not. 

Jingle Bells

To break the ice, Santa retrieves two small bells from each of his pockets, a red one and a green one. He places one in each of my daughters’ hands. He then asks my oldest the age-old question, “And what would you like for Christmas this year?” She doesn’t sit on his lap, but she is still anxious to make sure he hears her request. “I would like a pony, a purple one,” she shouts. The baby, by this point, determines she is not a fan of Santa, and she begins crying loudly. After a couple of minutes, my mom cheekily says, “Okay, Santa, I think it’s time for you to move onto the next family!”

Another Santa Sighting

After visiting with each and every child aboard our train car, Santa bids farewell with a wave and makes his way to the next train car. 

The remainder of the train ride is pleasant, and everyone is in good spirits after Santa’s visit. My family admires the country-side view out the windows, and my daughters point to everything they see out the windows.

Locomotive Engineer

To the children’s delight, one of the engineers, in a bright yellow coat, graces us with his presence, walking through the train car. I feel like I’m receiving the full-train experience, complete by meeting the train engineer! 

Bilevel Train Car

The train car we’re seated in is known as a bilevel, and has seats on the both the upper and lower level. My oldest daughter and I make our way up the winding staircase to the seats on the second level. They are all single seats versus the double-seat benches on the lower level. We both wave to my mom and youngest daughter below us. I almost think the upper-level seats are the highlight of my 3-year-old’s train ride. After several minutes, we make our way back down the spiral staircase and return back to our original seats. There’s then an announcement that we are getting close to the train station.

Cookies and Snow Balls

And just like that, our 90-minute train ride is over. After deboarding the train, we step down onto the platform, and none other than Santa himself is there again! He bids everyone a farewell and helps distribute cookies and popcorn snow balls treats to all the children.

After a quick bathroom trip, my family makes our way to the SC Train Museum and Gift Shop. The museum and gift shop are understandably busy. People are buying souvenirs and looking at museum’s artifacts and photos. While I take a tour around the gift shop, my older daughter joins some other children playing with the large wooden-toy train set in the museum.

A Frozen Dessert

My family and I slowly make our way out of the holiday bustle, and all head back to the car. One of my daughters points out a Kona Ice truck, located conveniently beside the parking lot. Though I hate to dash anyone’s dreams of any icy treat, I’m a Southern girl, and snow cones just aren’t in the cards on this chilly day!

A North Pole Nearby

The South Carolina Railroad Museum really nailed it with Santa’s North Pole Express Train! I can’t recommend this experience enough. It is exciting and cheerful, and a delightful surprise. I cannot believe this incredible holiday excursion is right in my backyard. Who knew the North Pole was in such close proximity to Columbia? 

Wherever you are in the Midlands, you’re only minutes away from a storybook holiday. Take a ride on Santa’s North Pole Express, and do not miss out on this festive train excursion.

Tickets are sold online through the museum’s booking page. Tickets are released October 1st, 2026.Do note that in the Dining Car and on Santa’s Twilight Express, every rider needs a purchased ticket — including lap babies and children under 2 — and there is a $2 per-ticket exchange and transfer fee.

South Carolina Railroad Museum
110 Industrial Park Rd, Winnsboro, SC 29180
803-635-9893
https://www.scrm.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Santa’s North Pole Express run in 2026?

The North Pole Express runs the first three Saturdays in December 2026 — December 5, 12, and 19 — with departures at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.

How much do tickets cost?

The museum has not posted 2026 fares on its website or booking page, and will be available October 1st, 2026.

How long is the train ride?

About 90 minutes, or, in the museum’s own words, until Santa has talked to every child on the train.

Do babies and toddlers need their own ticket?

In the Dining Car and on Santa’s Twilight Express, yes. The museum requires a purchased ticket for all riders, including lap babies and children under 2.

What is the difference between the North Pole Express and the Twilight Express?

The North Pole Express is the daytime ride, where Santa walks through the train to visit each child. The Twilight Express is the evening version, and it splits riders into two seatings: one group enjoys hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, and stories in the historic dining car while the other visits with Santa and sings carols in a coach. Halfway through the trip, the two groups swap.

Are there restrooms on the train?

No. The museum asks everyone, especially little ones, to use the restrooms near the tracks before boarding.

For more information, donation and membership questions contact the South Carolina Railroad Museum here.