The New Hope Valley Railway has just received word directly from the North Pole confirming a personal appearance by Santa Claus himself on its trains on both Saturday and Sunday of the first two weekends in December.

This is an occasion worthy of note, for while the jolly old elf may have many helpers appearing around the world, he reserves his own appearances for only very special venues.

The symbol of the Holidays will be at Bonsal to ride each and every train on 6, 7, 13, and 14 December 2008.

"We are very excited about this event," said M. Gray Lackey, President of the line. "We've been told Santa made a list of all the places he could be those days, and when he checked it twice, he decided to come to Bonsal to be with all the good girls and boys."

The appearance of Santa in some form on the New Hope Valley Railway has become a tradition in this part of North Carolina, and one bringing all on the railroad a great deal of joy.

Regardless of our ages, there is a warmth in every heart the days the Santa Trains run, and the crews enter into the spirit of the season, decorating the locomotives and cars in keeping with the customs we all hold dear.

It is our way of wishing everyone our best now and throughout the year.

We hope you will join us.

The New Hope Valley Railway will be operating when Santa visits with five trains each day, starting at 11:00AM over four miles of track in Chatham and Wake counties.

Tickets are available to the public at the ticket office in Bonsal, NC (just south of Apex, NC).

Exhibits at the museum include a number of cars and locomotives, a collection of historic memorabilia, and a six-hundred foot garden size model railway.

Visitors are encouraged to visit our website (www.nhvry.org) for further information, schedules, and detailed directions to the facility.

Alternatively, the may call 1-919-362-5416 to speak with the yardmaster on duty.