Niles Canyon Railway - Fremont/Niles Station Entrance — Attraction in Fremont

Last night, we had a blast at the Niles Canyon Railway - Train of Lights with a group of friends and our little ones, ranging from 18 months to 4 years old. Here’s the lowdown for anyone thinking about going:

🚂 First off, aim to get there by 4 PM. It gives you enough time to sort out parking, pick up your tickets, and get settled. Remember, the train pulls out at 4:30 PM sharp!

🎅 The experience is made even more special by the amazing volunteers who run the show. And guess what? Santa makes an appearance too, so get your cameras ready for some adorable pics with the big guy!

💡 The train itself is a sight to behold – decked out in dazzling lights that really bring the holiday spirit to life. It's a little snug inside (it is a train, after all), but that just adds to the cozy, festive vibe.

💰 Bring some cash for snacks and drinks – everything's a steal at less than $2! Just a heads-up, they don't take cards.

All in all, it's a great...

It's like stepping back in time. The train runs from Niles to Sunol. Santa visited with the the kids. Light refreshments are available to buy. Each car is decorated differently with lights and Christmas scenes. The only two negatives were the cost at $30 a ticket and that parking in the train's lot was not extended on the night of the parade, which meant we were unable to attend the parade. We had to leave the lot and by that time, no parking was available close enough...

The train of lights was a fun event for the kids. We went with the general boarding which is $30 per person. You need to come at least an hour before to get the parking, tickets and getting first I'm the queue to board.

You can either sit in the closed boggie or the open one. The total round trip distance is 13 miles and takes an hour for the train. You can get snacks like Cheetos, lays or some hot beverages like coffee or hot chocolate....you need cash as they don't...