INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — All Aboard!
The train ride from the Independence Station to the Village of Peninsula is a winding one that stretches roughly 13-miles.
The journey to the 'North Pole' takes roughly an hour and a half as guests enjoy the views along the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway.
Before the trip starts, Santa’s helpers get everyone situated on the train with a personalized name tag. Once everyone is settled, that's when the real fun begins.
The elves hand out blank letters for each kid to fill out, telling Santa exactly what they want this year and the caroling of holiday classics also begins.
Messiah and Kamorrrah Bryant rode the train this year and said their favorite part of the ride was “singing Christmas carols” Kamorrah said.
Hannah, one of Santa's elves, then went around and handed out a cups of warm hot chocolate and cookies. After about 45 minutes the train reached the north pole, which was full of Santa’s elves and reindeer.
Messiah and Kamorrrah’s parents told 3News that they loved watching the kids write letters to Santa and will definitely be back next year for the ride.
Tickets for this year’s ride have unfortunately sold out already, but be sure to check the website HERE for updated information. Be sure to mark your calendars for September 2022, when tickets go on sale for next year's ride.
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*Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous GO-HIO adventure.