Owosso, MI · Heritage railroad · 2026 season

North Pole Express at Steam Railroading Institute

Owosso’s North Pole Express travels to Ashley’s Country Christmas and back. The operator reported sold-out status in our October 12 review and sells tickets through its own website.

Illustrative stock photo: Grand Canyon Railway locomotive 237 decorated with a Christmas wreath
Illustrative stock photograph. Grand Canyon Railway locomotive 237 with a Christmas wreath on November 18, 2013. Historical holiday decoration; the source does not identify this departure as the Polar Express. The Commons file was cropped vertically by 5% in 2024. Bill Morrow / Wikimedia Commons · Image source · CC BY 2.0 · Display crop; photograph otherwise unchanged.

2026 dates published

Selected Friday–Sunday trains November 20–December 20, 2026

Published operating dates do not guarantee seats. Check your exact departure and class in the official booking calendar.

The current page has both Tickets Available and Tickets sale date coming soon wording. Current sale status and remaining seats are unresolved; no whole-season sold-out claim is made.

Source reviewed 2026-10-26 · Ticket status observed 2026-10-26

Tickets and official updates

Choose a train departure first. Confirm the date, class, child tickets and checkout total with the operator before arranging other travel.

Check departures and tickets →

Where to board

Owosso boarding location

Steam Railroading Institute, 405 South Washington Street, Owosso, MI 48867

Official boarding information →

Plan your visit

Boarding
Steam Railroading Institute, 405 South Washington Street, Owosso, MI 48867
Time commitment
The operator describes a 4.75-hour round trip, including a two-hour Ashley layover.
Accessibility
Guests must be able to climb stairs; the historical passenger fleet is not wheelchair accessible.
Authorized tickets
The railway explicitly says it does not partner with third-party ticket vendors and does not keep a waiting list.

Would an overnight stay help?

Compare your departure time and drive home before deciding. An evening train or a long journey may make staying nearby useful. Secure the correct holiday train first, then check lodging independently; no hotel or regular-excursion booking establishes holiday admission.

More holiday rides in Michigan

Each ride has its own schedule and ticket status; these links do not guarantee availability.

Sources and railway guide

Visit the Steam Railroading Institute railway guide →