Welcome to our 2024 North Pole Flyer page!

Welcome to the North Pole Flyer 2024–departing from our historic 1912 Bertram Depot in Bertram, Texas.

8/14/2024, 10am Car and Train Charters go live!

8/28/2024, 10am Group sales go live for groups of 20 or more.

9/11/2024, 10am Individual tickets go live. (Rippling Stream and Nambe are likely to be sold out.)

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The classic North Pole Flyer is back! Departing from our historic 1912 Bertram Depot, the 2024 trip brings back some of your favorite activities and entertainers! Our special 2-hour excursion on a real train features a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, all-you-can-drink hot cocoa, live balloon twisters, on-board caroling and a locally baked holiday cookie. Each car is decorated for the season where passengers enjoy a live reading of the North Pole Flyer book-our railroad’s own Christmas Story! Our professional Santa will spend time in each car to “check your list twice “and pose for photographs before handing out a gift to each child to remember this special ride. Come be a part of the magic!

You ticket includes: 2 hour trip, visit and photo with Santa (Santa will sit for photos in the lounge cars only), a gift for each child 13 and under from Santa or his Elf, visit and cookie from Mrs. Claus, on-board caroling and sing-a-long, letters to Santa, coloring sheet with crayons, unlimited hot chocolate on board and at the depot, live balloon twisting with balloon art for each child 13 and under, and live reading of the North Pole Flyer book. Private compartment passengers are welcome to join the festivities in the main lounge, though standing space will be limited.

All cars are pulled by a diesel locomotive and depart from our Bertram Depot in Bertram, Texas. This ride is 2 hours round trip with no layover. Due to the unique nature of our non-profit railroad operations, there are no refunds or exchanges on the North Pole Flyer. Please read our Terms and Conditions prior to purchasing here: www.austinsteamtrain.org/make-reservations/termsconditions/

To ensure the best experience for all guests, please reserve seats that are side-by-side. *If seats are reserved across from each other or in a way that prevents others from booking side-by-side, we will need to reassign your seats. Thank you for helping us ensure that everyone has a wonderful North Pole Flyer ride!

Kiddos under 3 may sit on the lap of an adult. Everyone 3 or older must have their own seat/ticket. All ages are welcome in all cars for this special event. Persons booking compartments are now welcome to join us in the main lounge area for storytime—though standing room is limited.

Passengers may now choose not only their train car, but their *seats as well! Passengers may be in shared seating areas or seated at shared tables. Want a specific seat, want to sit with another group, or need help booking? Call us at 512-915-2340 or email reservations@austinsteamtrain.org Wednesday- Friday from 10am-4pm.

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All North Pole Flyer rides depart from our Bertram Depot. Click here for address and directions. There are no departures from Cedar Park for the North Pole Flyer.

Ready to learn more about the Event? Jump to the North Pole Flyer FAQ Below.

Have questions? Give us a call during business hours at 512-915-2340, or after hours and on weekends at 512-402-3830.

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Each year we look forward to the return of the North Pole Flyer train ride!  We hope these FAQs will help you as you plan to join us in 2023!

1. The Locomotive
   We are currently under the power of the beautiful #3134! This stunning blue diesel engine made its ASTA debut in 2017! As with all our equipment, changes are constantly being made for your enjoyment and safety. A specific engine or style of locomotive power cannot be guaranteed.
   
2. Departure Location and Ride
   All North Pole Flyer rides are departing from our historic 1912 Bertram Depot, (170 S. Gabriel St., Bertram, TX 78605) as they were announced and ticketed. We are not able to exchange your tickets or offer you a refund if you miss the train. Please take special care to note your departure location, give yourself extra travel time, and arrive no later than 30-45 minutes prior to your departure.  For safety reasons, the doors will close for seating 10 minutes prior to departure. If you miss this 10 minute cutoff, you have missed your train. The ride is 2 hours long, round trip and the the train does not de-board anywhere along the journey. Please visit https://www.austinsteamtrain.org/about-asta/directions/ for directions and address.
   
3. Temporary Train Stops
   During your ride, the train will make several stops for the Crew to attend to the train. Each stop will vary in length. Your Car Attendant or Crew Chief can answer any questions you have during the ride. There is nothing to worry about during these short stops!
4. Refunds and Exchanges
   There are no refunds and no exchanges on the North Pole Flyer. If you are no longer able to attend the date and time your original reservation is made for, we will offer you a gift certificate, mailed in January 2025 that is valid for any ride in 2025 or 2026, with the exception of Day Out With Thomas or any other fundraising events. In order to receive this gift certificate, you must notify us at reservations@austinsteamtrain.org of your cancellation by 4pm on the Friday before your ride. We are not able to reschedule you on another North Pole Flyer in 2024. Please visit our Terms and Conditions page for full information.
5. Visits with Santa
   Santa Claus is on board every North Pole Flyer.  He walks through each car, greeting passengers young and old!  Every child has an opportunity to see Santa, and receive a special gift from Santa or his elf. Santa will travel through each car to interact with children and stop briefly for photos. Santa will sit for a slightly more extended time for photos in the lounge cars. Sitting in a private compartment? You are welcome to join the fun in the main lounge when Santa arrives! (Standing room may be limited.)
6. Hot Chocolate
   Passengers seated in Lounge Cars or Private Compartments will receive free and unlimited hot chocolate from their volunteer car attendant! Passengers who choose Coach Cars will be able to pick up their hot chocolate prior to boarding at our Bertram Depot, and can get a refill in the Cedar Park Concession Car during their appointed time. Your Car Attendant will let you know when it is time to get your refill in the Cedar Park Concession Car!
7. The Story- For Lounge and Coach Passengers
   While under way a Story Teller Elf will come to your car to read the story of the North Pole Flyer. This gives all of our passengers a chance to sit with their family and friends and listen or read along together. Copies of the North Pole Flyer book are available for $10. These may be purchased when you purchase your tickets or at the Bertram Depot when you pick up your tickets. During some departures books may be available to purchase on board the train in the Cedar Park Concession Car.
8. The Story- For Private Compartment Passengers
   Passengers seated in the private compartments can join the storyteller in the general lounge area for storytime. Passengers may not sit on floors, and standing room will be limited. This was noted when you purchased your ticket. Those in Private Compartments may also stay in their compartment and read the North Pole Flyer book as a family instead of going to the lounge. Copies of the North Pole Flyer book may be purchased when you purchase your tickets or at the Bertram Depot when you pick up your tickets. During some departures books may be available to purchase on board the train in the Cedar Park Concession Car. Also, please note that compartments are ticketed per person, not per compartment. (For example, if you have a group of 3, you will need 3 tickets.)
9. Other Entertainment
   
   1. Cookies will be passed out for all passengers.
   2. Mrs. Claus will be on all rides to greet passengers and make sure your Christmas list is done!
   3. Coloring sheets and crayons will be provided.
   4. Car attendants will help with letters to Santa.
   5. Balloon twisters will create live balloon art for all kiddos.
   6. Our caroling elves will be on board for a live singalong.
10. Walking through the train
    Due to the flurry of activity on board the train, passengers will need to remain in their seats and/or compartment unless they are using the restroom or visiting the Cedar Park Concession Car. Your Car Attendant will let you know when it is time!
11. Tickets
    Please carefully read our Terms and Conditions prior to purchasing your tickets – as many have changed. All passengers ages 3 and up need a ticket to ride the train. Adult and Child tickets are the same price. Kiddos under the age of 3 may ride on the lap of an adult. The lap rider doesn’t get their own seat and must remain on the lap of an adult. Private Compartment seats are also available. Also, please note that compartments are ticketed per person, not per compartment. (For example, if you have a group of 3, you will need 3 tickets.)
12. Wheelchair Seating
    Please note that wheelchair seating is extremely limited and must be booked at reservations@austinsteamtrain.org or 512-915-2340 during regular business hours. Since seating is assigned, we must know your needs at the time of reservation. We may not be able to accommodate parties that show up with unannounced wheelchair seating needs. Please call us so we can plan for your arrival and provide you with the best possible experience!
13. The Cars
    All cars are all ages for the North Pole Flyer! There are 3 classes of service available – Coach (New Braunfels, Buckeye Trail, Buckeye Lake and Silver Pine), Lounge (Maurice Beckham, Rippling Stream, Nambe) and Private Compartments (please see below).  Not every car will be available at each departure. Each car is climate controlled and has its own bathroom, except for the Maurice Beckham which is currently being restored. Coach cars have coach-style seating like a bus or an airplane. Lounge cars are more like restaurants and may have tables and chairs, tables and booth seating, or lounge chairs with a tray table. With our vintage equipment, some restrooms may be unavailable during certain stretches of the trip. Please ask your Car Attendant if you need restroom assistance. Due to the flurry of activity on board the train, passengers will need to remain in their seats and/or compartment unless they are using the restroom or visiting the Cedar Park Concession Car. Your Car Attendant will let you know when it is time!
14. Private Compartments
    We offer Private Compartment seating for the North Pole Flyer. These unique spaces were previously used as sleeper stalls or even barber shops, and have now been reconfigured for your comfort! Compartments come in many shapes and sizes, some with permanent walls, and some with removable partitions. Windows in compartments are typically on one side of the room only, with doors on the other side that open and close for privacy. Other variance between compartments may include size of window(s), type of furniture, train car, location and number of doors, amount and style of decoration, and level of entertainment. *Please note that compartments are ticketed per person, not per compartment. (For example, if you have a group of 3, you will need 3 tickets.) Need help booking a compartment? Reach out to us at reservations@austinsteamtrain.org or 512-915-2340 during regular business hours.
15. Night Rides
    Please note that the 7pm ride is in the dark. We may not able to dim the lights on board due to safety restrictions, so when it is dark outside, you will not be able to see outside of the train car. You also will not see a “trail of lights” exhibit along the way.  Much of our route is rural, so it is up to each individual property owner as to what displays they put up. Cars, games and other entertainment may be available for purchase in our Cedar Park car if the kiddos in your group need additional entertainment.
16. What We Do Not Offer
    While we provide a step back in time, and some Christmas activities on our train ride, we can’t give you nonstop “entertainment.”  Nor do we want to!  We want there to be times during the ride when you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy conversation with your family and friends!  You are welcome to bring playing cards, books, or games on board with you.  We have some for sale in the Cedar Park Concession Car during the ride.  And yes, even electronic devices or music are welcome, although we ask that you use earphones with those. 
17. Thank You
    When you ride with us, you are helping us maintain a fleet of lovingly restored passenger cars, along with our 1916 SP 786 steam locomotive.  Many of these cars would have been turned into scrap if not for our efforts and your support.  We want to keep vintage railroading alive in Central Texas for many years to come, and every ticket purchase helps us achieve that goal.

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North Pole Flyer Sponsors

This event would not be possible without the support of our North Pole Flyer Sponsors. Please join us in a round of applause for the following sponsors!

Wish your name was here? Email Zena at director@austinsteamtrain.org to become a sponsor.