The CTA Holiday Train began as a two-car train delivering food baskets to charitable organizations and has grown into a seasonal spectacle of lights, laughter and goodwill. Santa Claus is the star of the CTA Holiday train...but it's the galaxy of lights that commands the attention of all who see it pass by.
The Holiday Train runs select weekdays and Saturdays, from November 25 through December 22. It travels on all of the CTA's rail lines so everyone gets a chance to say hello to Santa and take part in this holiday tradition...now in its 20th year.
The Holiday Train first operated in 1992 as an out-of-service train to deliver food donated by employees to needy families. In 1996, the Holiday Train was used for regularly-scheduled service on the Blue Line. By 2005, the train began operating on the Yellow Line, bringing the Holiday Train service to all CTA rail lines. In 2011, the train will deliver holiday meals to 300 less-fortunate families.
