Climb Aboard!
This holiday season put on your favorite pajamas or 1940s/50s attire and join us for a nostalgic journey to the Christmas of yesteryear when you climb aboard the North Pole Express, pulled by the world-famous Pere Marquette 1225! Depart from the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso for a four and a half hour, round trip excursion to the Village of Ashley’s Country Christmas.
Upon arrival at the Village of Ashley Country Christmas, disembark for a two-hour Christmas party straight out of the past! Participate in the numerous activities the village has to offer, including live entertainment, having your picture taken in front of the train, and meeting Santa Claus himself!
Your entire North Pole Express experience will last approximately four and a half hours. Departure times are subject to delays due to freight traffic or mechanical issues.
For easier ticket purchasing, we encourage you to review the information about seating class options prior to beginning the ticket purchasing process. The “Book Now” ticketing link will be open on Thursday, July 25th, at 12:00 pm (noon).
Dates and Times
Saturday, November 23rd – 10am & 5pm
Sunday, November 24th – 10am & 5pm
Friday, November 29th – 5pm only
Saturday, November 30th – 10am & 5pm
Sunday, December 1st – 10am & 5pm
Friday, December 6th – 5pm only
Saturday, December 7th – 10am & 5pm
Sunday, December 8th– 10am & 5pm
Friday, December 13th – 5pm only
Saturday, December 14th– 10am & 5pm
Sunday, December 15th– 10am & 5pm
Friday, December 20th – 5pm only
Saturday, December 21st – 10am & 5pm
Sunday, December 22nd – 10am only
Excursion Itinerary
4.5 Hour Duration
10:00am Excursions
Departs Owosso at 10am
Arrives in Ashley at 11:15am
Departs Ashley at 1:15pm
Arrives back in Owosso at 2:30pm
5:00pm Excursions
Departs Owosso at 5pm
Arrive in Ashley at 6:15pm
Depart Ashley 8:15pm
Arrive back in Owosso at 9:30pm
Class Options
Choose from our five different classes of service. From vintage coaches to historic cabooses, each offers a different type of comfortable accommodation and Christmas ambiance! All classes receive complimentary admission to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas, a souvenir ticket and “Believe” bell.
Review class option now to expedite your booking experience!
Please note that due to the historic nature of our passenger car fleet, they cannot be made ADA accessible. By booking, you agree that all guests in your party are able to climb up and down stairs.
*We no longer offer the Adult-Only Parlour class.
Frank Thomson Private Car
$6,200 Per Party of 26 Passengers – No Individual Seating
- Our most luxurious first-class private car reserved exclusively for your family or company party
- High-end seating
- Car host service
- Complimentary sweet treats
- Complimentary champagne and Baileys! (21+, ID upon request)
- Complimentary admission to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas, a souvenir ticket and “Believe” bell
- Souvenir “North Pole Express” mug
- Unlimited hot cocoa
- $1000 is required to hold the car & date in your name, the remaining $5200 will be automatically charged October 1st
- No-mess food brought by guests is permitted on this car. Food items subject to approval before the day of your trip
Please note the entire car must be booked by a single party. We cannot book individual seats on the Frank Thomson.
Caboose
$2,200 Per Party of 10-12 Passengers
- A historic caboose reserved exclusively for your party
- Upper and lower-level seating
- Private Conductor
- Souvenir “North Pole Express” mug
- Complimentary admission to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas, a souvenir ticket and “Believe” bell
- Unlimited hot cocoa
Claus Club
$500 Per Table of 4 Passengers
- Assigned seating in a vintage 1950s dining car
- Car host service
- Souvenir “North Pole Express” mug
- Complimentary admission to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas, a souvenir ticket and “Believe” bell
- Sweet treats and unlimited hot cocoa
Cocoa
$105 Per Passenger
- Assigned seating in a deluxe, vintage 1950s coach car
- Car host service
- Souvenir “North Pole Express” mug
- Complimentary admission to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas, a souvenir ticket and “Believe” bell
- Unlimited hot cocoa
Coach
$80 Per Passenger
- Assigned seating in a coach car
- Car host service
- Complimentary admission to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas, a souvenir ticket and “Believe” bell
- Cup of hot cocoa
A Christmas Movie Star!
Pere Marquette 1225, the largest and most impressive piece in the Steam Railroading Institute’s collection, is one of the largest operating steam locomotives in Michigan. The 1225 was built in October of 1941 by the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio for the Pere Marquette Railway. It’s part of the National Register of Historic Structures and is renowned for its role in the 2004 Warner Brothers Christmas Classic, THE POLAR EXPRESS™. 1225’s blueprints were used as the prototype for the locomotive image as well as its sounds to bring the train in the animated film to life!
