The Danbury Railway Museum is bringing back its First Gift Express for the holidays. Starting Saturday, November 28, families can board the museum's Snow Clipper for a short ride through the historic Danbury Railyard, then meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, who hand each child the first present of Christmas. The rides run every Saturday and Sunday through December 20, plus Monday, December 21, and the museum says the event has sold out each of the past three years.

How the First Gift Express works

The idea is simple: parents bring the gift, and Santa gives it. Families can arrive with a present already wrapped, or choose one from the museum's online menu when they book, which includes gift wrapping and batteries. The elves need time to get every gift ready for the right child, which is why there are no walk-in sales and why online reservations close 10 hours before each departure.

Each visit starts with check-in at the museum's restored 1903 train station on White Street. Inside, children can color a letter at the Letters to Santa station (the museum asks families to include a mailing address, because Santa writes back), watch the operating model railroads and look through the museum's exhibits.

Then everyone boards a restored 1950s Rail Diesel Car for a short run through the railyard. Back at the station, there is an unhurried meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and that is when the first gifts of Christmas are handed out.

After the visit, families are free to walk the railyard with a cup of hot chocolate (marshmallows included) and a fresh baked cookie. A ticket includes full admission to the museum and the railyard, where artifact displays and antique railroad cars are on view.

Dates and departure times

The museum is open only to Santa ticket holders on event days, from 1:30 to 9 p.m. Departures are scheduled for 2, 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m.

  • Saturdays: November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19, with all five departures.
  • Sundays: November 29 and December 6, 13 and 20, with no 8 p.m. departure.
  • Monday, December 21: no 8 p.m. departure, and the museum says tickets for that day will be released later in the season.

The museum notes that the 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. trains run after dark, late enough to take in the railyard lit up for the season. Families who want to see the lights should book one of those three times.

A fundraiser for the museum

The First Gift Express is the museum's Christmas fundraiser. Beyond the holidays, the museum runs regular train rides, a lecture series, a research library, volunteer programs and family events through the year, including Pumpkin Patch Trains in the fall and Storytime Express rides, and its grounds include the Union Station building, a turntable and a roster of historic equipment.

Getting there and booking

The Danbury Railway Museum is at 120 White Street in downtown Danbury, and its phone number is 203-778-8337. Reservations are required and space is limited, so book through the Santa Trains page on the museum's website, pick a date and departure, and add a gift from the online menu if you are not bringing your own. Plan to arrive early enough to check in at the station before your train.

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