Santa Claus is coming to town every weekend between now and Christmas, and he will be arriving on a train.
It’s time again for Toy Train Christmas in Toppenish, at the Northern Pacific Railroad Museum.
Santa’s visit is just part of the holiday celebration, which has added one more day, and now includes every Saturday and Sunday before Christmas, as well as the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
The dates for the event are Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20.
Toy Train Christmas admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children, and includes a host of activities for everyone in the family.
Visitors will be able to tour the museum, which was originally opened in 1911, and is filled with artifacts from the railroad’s storied past.
For this special event, the facility will be transformed into a holiday wonderland, with every room containing Christmas trees and operating toy trains.
Every tree will be decorated in a different style, and will complement toy trains ranging from “N” and “O” gauge to the larger Garden size.
Some of the trains are very old, and some are more modern, but all are expected to be fully functional.
The largest toy train layout will be a Garden size operating on more than 300 feet of track.
Some trains will be hand-controlled, and can be operated by children of all ages.
Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be provided, and in the Children’s Craft area youngsters will also have the opportunity to create a personalized keepsake to take home.
The highlight of the event will be the caboose ride on a real train to the “North Pole.”
During the ride, visitors will be greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus and several helpful elves, and for a small additional charge, children can have their picture taken with the Jolly Old Elf.
The caboose trip will also provide an interesting view of the rail yard, where a wealth of old railroad equipment and railroad cars are stored, with some in the process of being refurbished.
Visitors can also take the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping from a variety of gift items that will be available in the museum.
The museum is at 10 Asotin Ave., and maintains a Web site at www.nprymuseum.org.