Tri-State Railway Historical Society

• Trip LengthApproximately 60 minutes round trip from Wayne to Denville and back on the same NJ Transit line
• ArriveArrive 20–30 minutes before the departure printed on the ticket. The train cannot be held, and late arrivals or no-shows are not refunded
• ParkingThe NJ Transit station publishes 996 standard and 21 accessible spaces, with paid daily parking. Santa Train event directions and attendants control the event-day process
• AccessibilityTri-State says the NJ Transit passenger train is fully ADA compliant and climate-controlled, and the station has a high-level platform reached by a wheelchair ramp at the platform center
• WeatherThe train is planned to run in rain, shine, sleet, or snow. Cancellation is limited to a State of New Jersey state of emergency, according to the current FAQ
• RestroomsRestrooms are available at the station and in limited train cars. Tri-State warns that onboard restrooms can become unavailable and recommends using the station facilities
• Current StatusThe 2026 Santa Train is announced for Saturday, December 5. Tickets, prices, and the final ticket-session inventory are not yet on sale
• ScheduleThe official FAQ says departures are typically 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Treat those times as planning guidance until a ticket states the exact departure
• RouteWayne/Route 23 Transit Center to Denville on the Montclair–Boonton Line, then reverse direction back to Wayne. Wayne is the only boarding and detraining location
• TicketsPurchase only from Tri-State through its authorized FareHarbor flow. The organizer prohibits wholesalers, resellers, and ticket aggregators
• Pricing2026 adult and child prices remain to be determined. Children younger than two ride free only when held in a parent’s arms
• SeatingTickets assign a train-car number, but seats within that assigned car are not individually assigned
• RefundsSales are final and non-transferable. Refunds are offered only if the train is cancelled, not for lateness or no-shows
• GroupsGroups of 20 or more should contact santa@tristaterail.org early. No wholesale ticket prices are offered
• ContactSanta Train questions: santa@tristaterail.org or 973-656-0707. This page is source-checked but has not been claimed or confirmed by Tri-State

The Santa Train uses NJ Transit-operated, modern climate-controlled passenger equipment with onboard restrooms; Tri-State does not claim that its preserved locomotives power the holiday train. The society’s separate collection includes Delaware, Lackawanna & Western F3A No. 663, which operates in Steamtown excursion service; Morristown & Erie ALCo C-424 No. 19, described by Tri-State as operationally stored in Boonton; Hoboken Manufacturers Railroad GE 44-ton No. 700, under restoration; Rahway Valley Nos. 16 and 17; passenger cars; and four historic cabooses. The gallery separates exact Wayne station context from this preservation collection so visitors do not mistake No. 663 or another society locomotive for a promised Santa Train consist.