Photo courtesy of Whistle Stop Toys
Santa
Tickets go on sale soon for the Santa Train in Alexandria.
Santa is getting an early start on his travel plans, and so should you.
Tickets for Alexandria’s Santa Train go on sale Monday, Oct. 5, at Whistle Stop Toy & Hobby, marking the 20th year of one of the city’s most cherished holiday traditions. And if past years are any guide, they won’t last long.
“This is my baby,” said Frank Kozuch, Whistle Stop’s owner, who organizes the ride with the Virginia Railway Express (VRE).
Next stop: Manassas
The fun begins at 1 p.m., when ticket-holders gather at Alexandria’s King Street Station. From there, the train rolls to Manassas, with Santa and one of his elves working their way through the cars to visit with children and hand out stickers and candy canes.
In Manassas, everyone hops off for an hour of story time, hot chocolate and cookies before climbing back aboard for the return trip. The train arrives back in Alexandria at 4:30 p.m.
Riders won’t have to share the holiday spirit with regular commuters: The Santa Train takes over the last two cars, so the group has the space to itself. Kozuch will be along for the ride, too, with VRE staff.
And for the littlest passengers who aren’t quite sure about the big guy in the red suit? No pressure.
“Everyone will have a chance to meet Santa, although I understand not all want to meet Santa,” Kozuch said with a laugh.
How to get tickets
Tickets are $29.99 each and are sold in person only at Whistle Stop Toy & Hobby, 1719 Centre Plaza, off North Quaker Lane. Bringing an infant? Ask about seating and pricing when you buy your tickets. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. In past years, only 200 tickets were sold for each ride, so plan to stop by early.
Parking may be tight at the train station in Alexandria; ticket-holders should consider car-pooling, Uber or drop offs if possible.
This year’s rides are Monday, Dec. 7; Monday, Dec. 14; Thursday, Dec. 17; and Monday, Dec. 21.
Questions? Call the shop at 703-549-4912 or visit whistlestophobbies.com.
A hometown hobby shop
Whistle Stop has been a destination for train lovers, model builders and kids of all ages for more than two decades, and the Santa Train has become part of many Alexandria families’ holiday traditions. For some families, riding the Santa Train is as much a part of December as picking out the tree.
