Christmas Train Rides in West Virginia (2026)
West Virginia’s two Christmas trains run on opposite sides of the mountains. In the eastern panhandle, the Potomac Eagle’s North Pole Express leaves Romney almost every December day, with Mrs. Claus’ cookies on board and a barn full of crafts and s’mores at the station. In the Allegheny Highlands, the Cass Scenic Railroad runs a steam train along the Greenbrier River on three December weekends while the little company town lights up. There is no licensed Polar Express in the state in 2026; see our Polar Express and Christmas train guide for the nearest.
The short version
- North Pole Express, Romney: Nov 14 to Dec 31, from $52
- Christmas at Cass, Cass: Dec 4 to 20, weekends, from $45
- No licensed Polar Express runs in West Virginia in 2026; the closest options are in the drive-time table
West Virginia holiday trains at a glance
- Holiday trains
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Licensed Polar Express
- None in West Virginia in 2026
- Season
- November 14 to December 31, 2026
- Lowest fare
- From $45 (Cass Scenic Railroad)
- After Christmas
- Potomac Eagle (to December 31)
- Last checked
Plan your date
When each West Virginia Christmas train runs
North Pole Express in Romney has the longest season, November 14 to December 31. Each bar spans a ride’s season, not every day in it, so check the railroad’s calendar for exact dates.
- North Pole ExpressRomney · Nov 14 to Dec 31
- Christmas at CassCass · Dec 4 to 20, weekends
Look inside the book
Riding a West Virginia Christmas train? Read Rally first.
Rally Takes the Train is a corgi’s first train ride, from the early wake-up to the dark tunnel to the sunshine on the other side. It takes about five minutes to read, so it fits in the car on the way to the station. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
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That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
West Virginia's Christmas Trains for 2026
On the map
Where West Virginia’s Christmas trains leave from
- 1Romney: North Pole Express
- 2Cass: Christmas at Cass
Licensed Polar Express Other holiday trains. Faint dots are West Virginia towns, for shape.
A Santa train in the eastern panhandle and a steam train in the Allegheny Highlands.
West Virginia's 2026 holiday trains at a glance
| Ride | Town | Season | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potomac Eagle | Romney | Nov 14 to Dec 31 | From $52 | On sale now |
| Cass Scenic Railroad | Cass | Dec 4 to 20, weekends | From $45 | On sale now |
Romney: the North Pole Express on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Santa trainPotomac Eagle Scenic Railroad · Romney
- Operator
- Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Potomac Eagle station, Romney
- Season
- Select dates from November 14 to December 31, 2026: Fridays to Sundays through early December, daily December 11 to 23, and December 27 to 31; one to four trains a day between 1:00 and 7:00 pm
- Ride length
- About 75 minutes, no layover
- What's included
- Milk and Mrs. Claus' cookies, storytelling and carols, and a gift from Santa for every child; crafts, letters to Santa and a live nativity at the station
- Price
- Standard Coach $62 adults and $52 children; First Class $72 and $62; lap children under 2 free
- Tickets
- On sale now
- Best ages
- All ages; under 2 free on a lap
The North Pole Express heads north from the Potomac Eagle’s station in Romney for about 75 minutes, with milk and Mrs. Claus’ famous cookies, storytelling and Christmas carols along the way. At the North Pole, Santa climbs aboard and every child gets a gift. Standard Coach rides in 1920s coaches with bench seats, limited heat and windows that open; First Class rides in climate-controlled 1940s and 1950s dining cars with tables.
Plan to arrive early. The railroad suggests about two hours ahead to enjoy its Event Barn, with crafts, letters to Santa, coloring stations, photo spots and a live nativity, plus cocoa, snacks and s’mores pits sold for cash only. The barn closes at 7 pm. Onboard restrooms are closed during the ride, so use the station first. Bring blankets for the coaches. Tickets are nonrefundable, though the railroad gives credit toward a future trip.
Check dates and tickets with Potomac Eagle(opens in a new tab)Cass: Christmas at Cass on the Cass Scenic Railroad
Christmas steam trainMountain Rail West Virginia (Cass Scenic Railroad State Park) · Cass
- Operator
- Mountain Rail West Virginia (Cass Scenic Railroad State Park)(opens in a new tab)
- Boards at
- Cass Depot, Cass
- Season
- Fridays to Sundays, December 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20, 2026, at 1:00 and 3:00 pm, plus 11:00 am on Saturdays
- Ride length
- About 1 hour round trip
- What's included
- A steam train ride along the Greenbrier River in decorated, heated coaches and a surprise gift for every child
- Price
- Coach $55 adults and $45 children 4 to 11; caboose $60 and $50; 3 and under free but need a ticket
- Tickets
- On sale now; it sells out
- Best ages
- All ages; 3 and under free with a ticket
Cass is an old lumber company town turned state park, and on three December weekends its steam engines pull decorated, heated coaches along the Greenbrier River for about an hour. Every child gets a surprise gift during the ride. A few seats are sold in a historic Chesapeake & Ohio caboose at the back of the train.
The state park and the Friends of Cass add Santa visits and other activities through the weekend, and at night the town and the Greenbrier River Trail glow with thousands of lights. Arrive 30 minutes early. The historic cars have several steps and are not wheelchair accessible. There are restrooms on board, but not in the caboose. Cancel more than 48 hours ahead for a 90 percent refund.
Check dates and tickets with Cass Scenic Railroad(opens in a new tab)Romney or Cass: Which Christmas Train Fits Your Family
Your kids want Santa on the train
The North Pole Express. Santa boards and hands out gifts.
Steam and snow
Christmas at Cass, with a steam engine and a lit-up mountain town.
Toddlers
Either works. Both rides are about an hour, and lap kids ride free.
After Christmas
The North Pole Express, which runs December 27 to 31.
How Far West Virginia's Christmas Trains Are From Major Cities
Typical winter drive times on clear roads.
| Starting from | To | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Winchester, VA | Romney | About 1 hour |
| Morgantown | Romney | About 2 hours |
| Washington, DC | Romney | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Elkins | Cass | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Charleston | Cass | About 3 hours |
The nearest licensed Polar Express is in Cumberland on our Maryland page, about an hour from Romney. Southern West Virginia families can also look at the Staunton Santa Express on our Virginia page.
Free to print
For the drive home
Free printable Rally pages with a red train, a maze and a word search.
Get the free printablesWest Virginia Holiday Train Details Worth Knowing
No Polar Express in Elkins this year
Mountain Rail’s Polar Express in Elkins is not on the 2026 licensed list, so do not drive there expecting it. Mountain Rail’s holiday train this season is Christmas at Cass.
Getting there by Amtrak
The Cardinal crosses southern West Virginia, stopping at White Sulphur Springs, Alderson, Hinton, Prince, Thurmond, Montgomery, Charleston and Huntington; see our Cardinal with kids guide.
Cookies From Mrs. Claus
Rally’s favorite part of his train ride might be the pretzel Mom hands him at his seat. On the Potomac Eagle, it’s milk and Mrs. Claus’ cookies, and I suspect the kids feel the same way.
Rally’s first chapter was my mom’s, and I finished the book after she passed; our story page tells how. Our free Rally coloring pages are perfect for the station barn’s coloring tables or the drive home.
A train story for West Virginia kidsRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi on his first train ride, hand-painted in watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon
More for holiday train families
- Find a Christmas train near you: type your town and see every ride in the country sorted by distance
- Christmas train guide by state: licensed rides, costs and booking tips
- Christmas trains in Maryland
- Christmas trains in Virginia
- Every Amtrak route with kids, for a real train trip after the holidays
- Free Rally activity pack and coloring pages to print before the ride
Sources
- Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad: North Pole Express(opens in a new tab)
- Mountain Rail West Virginia: Christmas at Cass(opens in a new tab)
- American-Rails: West Virginia Christmas Train Rides (2026)(opens in a new tab)
Checked against each railroad’s own pages on . THE POLAR EXPRESS is a trademark of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Each ride is run by the railroad or museum named above; Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Rail Events or any railroad listed here. Book only through the operator’s own site, and confirm dates and prices there before you go.
West Virginia Christmas trains: questions parents ask
Is there a Polar Express train ride in West Virginia?
No. West Virginia has no licensed Polar Express ride in 2026, and the Elkins Polar Express is not on this year's list. The state's Christmas trains are the Potomac Eagle's North Pole Express in Romney and Christmas at Cass. The nearest licensed ride is in Cumberland, Maryland.
What Christmas train rides are in West Virginia in 2026?
We confirmed two holiday train rides in West Virginia for 2026: the North Pole Express in Romney; Christmas at Cass. None of them is a licensed Polar Express ride, which West Virginia does not have in 2026. The season starts November 14 with the North Pole Express in Romney and ends December 31.
What holiday events for kids are in Romney, West Virginia, in 2026?
For families, Romney has North Pole Express from Potomac Eagle (November 14 to December 31, from $52). It includes milk and Mrs. Claus' cookies, storytelling and carols, and a gift from Santa for every child; crafts, letters to Santa and a live nativity at the station. For other Romney, West Virginia, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
What holiday events for kids are in Cass, West Virginia, in 2026?
For families, Cass has Christmas at Cass from Cass Scenic Railroad (December 4 to 20, weekends, from $45). It includes a steam train ride along the Greenbrier River in decorated, heated coaches and a surprise gift for every child. Plan on about 1 hour round trip. For other Cass, West Virginia, events like parades and tree lightings, check the town or chamber of commerce calendar.
Where can families near Winchester, VA find a Christmas train ride?
From Winchester, VA, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Romney, about 1 hour. Each West Virginia ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Winchester, VA families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Morgantown, West Virginia find a Christmas train ride?
From Morgantown, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Romney, about 2 hours. Each West Virginia ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Morgantown families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Washington, DC find a Christmas train ride?
From Washington, DC, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Romney, about 2 hours 30 minutes. Each West Virginia ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Washington, DC families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Elkins, West Virginia find a Christmas train ride?
From Elkins, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Cass, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Each West Virginia ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Elkins families can compare before they drive.
Where can families near Charleston, West Virginia find a Christmas train ride?
From Charleston, typical winter drive times on clear roads are: Cass, about 3 hours. Each West Virginia ride on this page lists dates, prices and the booking link, so Charleston families can compare before they drive.
How much is the Potomac Eagle North Pole Express?
Standard Coach tickets cost $62 for adults and $52 for children, and First Class costs $72 and $62, at the railroad's 2026 celebration rates. Lap children under 2 ride free. Tickets are nonrefundable, but the railroad issues credit toward a future excursion.
How much is the Cass Christmas train?
Coach seats on Christmas at Cass cost $55 for adults and $45 for children 4 to 11, and caboose seats cost $60 and $50. Children 3 and under ride free but still need a ticket. The one-hour steam train runs on three December weekends.
When does the North Pole Express run in 2026?
The Potomac Eagle's North Pole Express runs on select dates from November 14 to December 31, 2026: Fridays to Sundays through early December, every day from December 11 to 23, and December 27 to 31, with trains between 1 pm and 7 pm.
Are there any West Virginia Christmas trains after Christmas?
Yes. The North Pole Express in Romney runs until December 31. Every other West Virginia ride on this page ends by Christmas Eve. The North Pole Express in Romney: select dates from November 14 to December 31, 2026: Fridays to Sundays through early December, daily December 11 to 23, and December 27 to 31; one to four trains a day between 1:00 and 7:00 pm.
What is the cheapest Christmas train in West Virginia?
The lowest posted 2026 fare we found in West Virginia is for Christmas at Cass: from $45. At the top end is the North Pole Express in Romney: from $52. Prices come from each West Virginia railroad's own listing and can change, so confirm at checkout. For Christmas at Cass: Coach $55 adults and $45 children 4 to 11; caboose $60 and $50; 3 and under free but need a ticket.
Which West Virginia Christmas train is best for toddlers?
The shortest West Virginia ride, and usually the easiest for toddlers, is Christmas at Cass: about 1 hour round trip. The longest is the North Pole Express in Romney, at about 75 minutes, no layover. Ages for Christmas at Cass: all ages; 3 and under free with a ticket. The whole old company town of Cass and the Greenbrier River Trail are lit up with thousands of lights in the evenings.
Which West Virginia Christmas trains have Santa?
One of the 2 West Virginia rides on this page includes Santa. The North Pole Express in Romney: milk and Mrs. Claus' cookies, storytelling and carols, and a gift from Santa for every child; crafts, letters to Santa and a live nativity at the station.
Can you take Amtrak to a Christmas train in West Virginia?
The Cardinal crosses southern West Virginia, stopping at White Sulphur Springs, Alderson, Hinton, Prince, Thurmond, Montgomery, Charleston and Huntington; see our Cardinal with kids guide.
What is included with the North Pole Express in Romney?
The North Pole Express in Romney includes milk and Mrs. Claus' cookies, storytelling and carols, and a gift from Santa for every child; crafts, letters to Santa and a live nativity at the station. For the Romney ride, plan on about 75 minutes, no layover. In the 1920s coaches the windows open, which the railroad ties to the moment Santa boards.
How long is Christmas at Cass?
For the Cass ride, plan on about 1 hour round trip. Included with Christmas at Cass: a steam train ride along the Greenbrier River in decorated, heated coaches and a surprise gift for every child. The whole old company town of Cass and the Greenbrier River Trail are lit up with thousands of lights in the evenings.
Where does the North Pole Express in Romney leave from?
The North Pole Express in Romney boards at Potomac Eagle station, 149 Eagle Drive, in Romney. Plan to arrive early. Onboard restrooms are closed during the ride, so use the station first. Potomac Eagle tickets: on sale now. In the 1920s coaches the windows open, which the railroad ties to the moment Santa boards.
Where does Christmas at Cass leave from?
Christmas at Cass boards at Cass Depot, 12363 Cass Road, in Cass. The state park and the Friends of Cass add Santa visits and other activities through the weekend, and at night the town and the Greenbrier River Trail glow with thousands of lights. Arrive 30 minutes early. There are restrooms on board, but not in the caboose.
Any tips for the North Pole Express in Romney with young kids?
Plan to arrive early. The railroad suggests about two hours ahead to enjoy its Event Barn, with crafts, letters to Santa, coloring stations, photo spots and a live nativity, plus cocoa, snacks and s’mores pits sold for cash only. The barn closes at 7 pm. Onboard restrooms are closed during the ride, so use the station first.
Any tips for Christmas at Cass with young kids?
The state park and the Friends of Cass add Santa visits and other activities through the weekend, and at night the town and the Greenbrier River Trail glow with thousands of lights. Arrive 30 minutes early. The historic cars have several steps and are not wheelchair accessible. There are restrooms on board, but not in the caboose.
Do babies need a ticket for the North Pole Express in Romney?
Potomac Eagle lists ages as: all ages; under 2 free on a lap. On fares: lap children under 2 free. For the Romney ride, plan on about 75 minutes, no layover. In the 1920s coaches the windows open, which the railroad ties to the moment Santa boards.
Do babies need a ticket for Christmas at Cass?
Cass Scenic Railroad lists ages as: all ages; 3 and under free with a ticket. On fares: 3 and under free but need a ticket. For the Cass ride, plan on about 1 hour round trip. The whole old company town of Cass and the Greenbrier River Trail are lit up with thousands of lights in the evenings.