Come meet Santa’s train-deer
Candy Cane Express gives you loco-motive and opportunity
By Chelsea Yarnell
For the TODAY
This Christmas, Santa is trading in his reindeer for a steam engine.
Come along for a train ride with the man in the red suit aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad’s Candy Cane Express.
“The Candy Cane Express is unique because it is centered around an experience on the train that is complemented by spectacular scenery outside,” said Executive Director Trevor Park. “While we run excursions all year round, the Candy Cane Express is by far the most immersive experience in our yearly offerings.”
The one-hour round trip ride aboard an historic train departs Garibaldi and travels along the coastline to Rockaway Beach and back. Each century-old train car is beautifully decorated both inside and out, all pulled by a steam-powered engine.
“The cold weather accentuates the steam billowing from the star of the show at the front of the train: The McCloud River Railroad Number 25,” Park said. “It is an authentic 100-year-old steam locomotive that pulls the Candy Cane Express. [It’s] beautifully restored and lovingly maintained by our nonprofit heritage railroad.”
The special holiday rides are scheduled to depart several times from Garibaldi beginning on Friday, Dec. 12, and continuing on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14 and Friday through Tuesday, Dec. 19 through 23. Admission includes the train ride, hot cocoa, a fresh baked cookie, live music from local entertainers and a visit from Santa right at your seat.
“As anticipation builds, kids get the opportunity to write a letter to Santa Claus while they wait, and they get the opportunity to hand it to him during his visit,” Park said. “Families come back year after year for the Candy Cane Express, not only because it is a train ride with great scenery, but because we are constantly working to improve the experience. This year is the first year we have had live music aboard the train. As a result of our efforts, the experience grows every year, welcoming more passengers aboard every year we run. It is a wonderful family atmosphere aboard this train ride, and is great for people of all ages!”
Local businesses are also utilized to provide many of the festive elements of the Candy Cane Express, adding to the positive effect the rides provide the area.
“The railroad is much more than just a train ride experience — for Tillamook County it is an important economic driver,” Park said. “Through local spending and net effect of our more than 60,000 riders each year, the railroad’s economic impact is somewhere around eight million dollars to Tillamook County. We are very proud of the impact we have!”
Tickets for the Candy Cane Express range from $36 to $47 for adults and $25 to $36 for children. For more information and tickets, go to oregoncoastscenic.org.
Each January and February, train trips are temporarily paused for much needed maintenance on the historic equipment. Rides will resume March 7 for the spring season, with runs between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach on the weekends.
Want to support the work? Donations can be earmarked for specific projects such as the restoration of Garibaldi’s steam locomotive, Polson Logging Company #90, as well as the ongoing depot-building project in Garibaldi which will be a permanent building at the railroad's Garibaldi departure point.