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Festive Christmas Elves Express Adventure in New Freedom, PA - Baltimore, MD

Festive Christmas Elves Express Adventure in New Freedom, PA

New Freedomeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

1–2 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, including families with young children and seniors.

Overview

Join Santa's elves aboard a magical train ride in New Freedom, PA! Help save Christmas by finding the pieces of the Good-Elf-O-Matic in this festive family adventure.

New Freedom, Pennsylvania

Christmas Elves Express

All Ages • 1 Hour 15 Min • Thanksgiving Weekend • Glen Rock Specialty Train • 1800s Coach Cars

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About This Adventure

Join the Elves Express for a whimsical holiday adventure! Help Santa's forgetful elves regain their Christmas spirit on this interactive train ride filled with laughter, sing-alongs, and festive surprises. Perfect for families, this unforgettable experience combines fun characters, music, and the magic of Christmas in a charming setting.

Where Mischief Meets Christmas Magic!

Duration

1 Hour and 15 Minutes

About

"Santa Who?"

This holiday season, something hilarious is happening aboard the Elves Express!

When Santa’s quirky team of elves—Finnigan Frost, Trixie Toymaker, Gabby Gumdrop, and Iceberg Ike—accidentally open a magical Forgetfulness Potion, they lose all memory of who they are… and worse, they forget who Santa Claus is! Now it’s up to you, our merry passengers, to help bring back their Christmas spirit before it’s too late. Join Santa and the elves on a festive, interactive train ride filled with laugh-out-loud moments, silly pranks, jolly sing-alongs, and heartwarming surprises.

Can your coach reach peak Christmas spirit and help the elves remember who Santa really is? Only one way to find out!

Perfect for families, kids, and anyone who believes in the magic of Christmas.

Fun characters, music, dancing, and snow—this is one train ride you won’t forget!

Please Note

  • Please visit our Gift Shop to check in and receive your boarding pass.
  • Please arrive 30 minutes prior to boarding.

Coach Accommodation Options

D. Reed Anderson Car

!Anderson 2

With a seating area for passengers as well as a storage area for baggage, the aptly- named combine car was important to railroads in the late nineteenth century. Our combine car, the D. Reed Anderson coach, holds special meaning as it is named for one of Northern Central Railway of York’s co-founders. Patterned after an 1880s-era combine car, this coach can seat up to 32 passengers, and is available for public seating as well as small group private seating. When constructing this coach, special attention was paid to restoring 1920s-vintage Hale and Kilburn cushioned walkover seats, which can be reversed to face the direction of travel. The D. Reed Anderson houses two restrooms and is handicapped accessible. Like our other passenger cars, this coach features coal stoves and operable windows for all-season use.

Abraham Lincoln Car

!Lincoln2

The Northern Central Railway will forever be connected with President Abraham Lincoln, who rode these rails to and from delivering the Gettysburg Address in 1863. Sadly, less than two years later, on April 21, 1865, the nine-car Lincoln Funeral Train would use these tracks when traveling from Baltimore to Harrisburg and beyond. Our Abraham Lincoln car incorporates the look and feel of an 1870s passenger coach. The vibrant car embraces Victorian motifs and features plush green seats that can be reversed to face the direction of travel. Like our other passenger cars, the Abraham Lincoln coach incorporates authentic nineteenth century heating via coal stoves as well as operable windows to bring the outside in and provide fresh, cool air.

New Freedom Car

!New Freedom 1

Named for the home base for the Northern Central Railway of York, the New Freedom replicates the appearance of a standard passenger coach from the 1860s. In true Victoria Era fashion, the lavish car features a colorful interior, with plush red seats that can be reversed to face the direction of travel. With seating for up to 56 passengers, the New Freedom coach incorporates authentic 19 th century heating and cooling – coal stoves to heat the car during the cold months and open windows to cool the car during the warm season. As for the car’s namesake, New Freedom was incorporated in 1873 and named for the Free family. The borough houses both our engine house as well as our passenger station – the historic New Freedom Railroad Station, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

South Branch Car

!South Branch

The tracks of the Northern Central Railway wind through the rolling hills and peaceful valleys of southern York County, paralleling and occasionally crossing the South Branch of the Codorus Creek. South Branch also happens to be the name of our 1860s-era open-air coach, which offers a unique riding experience. With seating for up to 36 passengers, the layout of the coach features cushioned seats in the center of the car, facing outward on each side to provide spectacular views of quaint towns and picturesque countryside. During the warmer months, the large windows are open to allow refreshing airflow, while in the colder months the windows are closed to retain the warmth courtesy of an era-appropriate coal stove. Wicker chairs provide additional seating options for passengers.

Adventure Tips

Book Early for Holiday Weekends

This popular festive ride sells out quickly during peak holiday weekends, so reserve your spot well in advance.

Dress Warmly for Outdoor Waiting Areas

Some parts of the boarding and waiting experience are outdoors, so bring layered clothing to stay comfortable.

Arrive 30 Minutes Before Departure

Give yourself ample time for check-in and seating to avoid missing the enchanting start of the journey.

Parking Is Limited Near the Station

Consider carpooling or using nearby parking lots if the main station lot fills up during busy days.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • White-tailed deer
  • Red-tailed hawks

History

The Northern Central Railway has been preserving and operating historic trains since the 19th century, playing a key role in Pennsylvania's rail heritage.

Conservation

The railway promotes sustainable tourism by maintaining vintage equipment and minimizing environmental impact while encouraging visitor respect for natural surroundings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Warm Layers

Essential

Necessary to stay cozy during chilly outdoor boarding and disembarking in winter months.

winter specific

Camera or Smartphone

Essential

Capture festive moments and scenic views aboard the historic train.

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Essential

Ideal for walking around the station area and exploring New Freedom before or after the ride.

Hand Sanitizer

Essential

Helpful for maintaining hygiene during group interactions on the train.