Take a special train ride this holiday season and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, storytelling, and a visit from Santa. The Christmas Express is a popular holiday past time for many families with sold out trips every year. The 1925 steam engine is scheduled to run for every trip during the holiday season.

In order to accommodate more passengers, the Three Rivers Rambler has added departures on Friday. In years past, a long waiting list was some people's only hope of getting to ride the train during December. The last weekend of November has also been added to accommodate visitors in town for Thanksgiving.

This year will be the third year Christmas Express passengers will enjoy a new holiday story during the ride. The Christmas Lantern is a story of goodwill about a grandfather who worked on the railroad and helped a jolly white bearded man on a Christmas Eve long ago. The short story was written by Karen Claussen-Bishop, an employee of the Three Rivers Rambler. Hardback copies will be available for sale in the gift shop.

While boarding the Christmas Express, passengers will enjoy holiday treats and decorations. As the train steams along the track, story-tellers will read the Christmas Lantern while children can relax in their cozy pajamas. Halfway through the trip Santa Claus boards the train to visit the children and hand out a special gift to all the boys and girls (even those young at heart). As the train returns to town, Santa visits with the passengers and is available for pictures.

The Christmas Express train is managed by the Three Rivers Rambler excursion train. Reservations can be made online at www.ThreeRiversRambler.com or by calling (865) 524-9411. Departure dates are November 28, 30, December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 with departures at 10am & 2pm & 6p. Excursions have sold out for the past four years, make your reservations now!

The Three Rivers Rambler is a 90 minute excursion train ride from Downtown Knoxville along the majestic Tennessee River. The train departs from Volunteer Landing located on Neyland Drive. Free parking is available across from the former Bridgeview Grill restaurant. Contact the Three Rivers Rambler office at 865-524-9411 for more information or a free brochure.