One of the items on my summer bucket list was to take Lucas on the Hill Country Flyer. Summer came and went in a flash and we didn’t check that one off the list.
However, in December, the Hill Country Flyer turns into the North Pole Flyer and we did check this off the list!
Operated by the Austin Steam Train Association, the North Pole Flyer is powered by a 1960 Alco diesel. There are several different car classes to choose from based on your family’s needs. I choose the Buckeye Lake Excursion Coach (built in 1949 for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroads) primarily because it has the largest windows to look out of. But it is also climate controlled, has seats that can be flipped into conversation groups and a bathroom.
Each car is decorated for the season, and Santa and Mrs. Claus are on board the train. Mrs. Claus comes by to give each passenger a Christmas cookie, then one of her elves reads the Christmas Story to the children and finally Santa Claus comes by to give each child a train whistle toy.
It’s a great excursion to take your family on to get into the holiday spirit. And the best part of the train ride? It’s just short enough that your child doesn’t lose interest and you start secretly wanting to throw him off the train.
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