Candy Cane Express & Santa Send-Off Train Coming To The Tristate

If you are super bummed the Polar Express Train Ride in French Lick isn't happening don't fret! The Ohio River Scenic Railway will host two different holiday train rides for families and Santa will be on board.

The Candy Cane Express will happen in November and December. The family gets to join Santa Claus for a fun-filled time on the railroad. You know Santa hops on a train when his reindeer aren't flying him all over the world. The ride lasts an hour and a half and will truly get you in the Holiday Spirit.

And to end the Christmas Season the train will leave the station to help send Santa back to the North Pole. It gives those poor reindeer a break after a long night of delivering gifts. Santa's Send-Off happens on December 26th-27th.

If you have concerns about social distancing during the pandemic the Ohio River Scenic Railway has developed a set of guidelines for passengers to follow.

Here are the guidelines they will be following due to COVID-19;

*Please Note*
Due to the COVID19 pandemic we are implementing the following changes to our operations in accordance with CDC, state, and local health agency guidelines and best practices:
50% CAPACITY JUNE 20 - JULY3: in accordance with Governor Holcomb's "Back on Track" reopening plan, we will be limiting ticket sales capacity for each of our trains to 50% of the maximum occupancy, on all rides occurring from June 20 - July 3.
INTERIOR SANITIZATION: Liquid sanitizing equipment will be utilized to disinfect the interior of the train and all high-contact surfaces, between each train ride.
EXTENDED LAYOVER TIMES: Original train departure schedules have been altered to allow for additional layover time between trips to allow for adequate time to sanitize the interior of the train. (Unfortunately, this means we had to reduce the overall number of departures we offer each day, but our highest priority is the health and safety of our passengers and staff.)
SOCIAL DISTANCING: Individuals and groups will be asked to remain at least 6 feet apart while waiting to board, and while on board the train. Train staff will coordinate seating of individuals and groups to maximize social distancing while on board the train. (Please be respectful of and adhere to the seating assignments given to your group.)
OPEN DOORS: In order to reduce the number of commonly touched surfaces, all doors will be propped open OR controlled by an attendant while passengers are boarding the train in order to avoid repetitive touching of those surfaces by passengers.
TEMPERATURE SCREENINGS: Train staff will, as health protocols and best practices allow, be equipped with no-contact equipment to take external temperature readings of each guest boarding a train in order to screen for elevated body temperatures. Per CDC definitions, a person presenting with a body temperature reading of 100.4 °F [38 °C] or higher will be considered to have a fever and therefore not allowed on the train. The Ohio River Scenic Railway will gladly allow any guests being denied admittance due to elevated body temperatures (or other signs of infection per 42 CFR Parts 70 &71) to request a full refund or exchange of their ticket for another departure date that is at least 48 hours after the day of the original high temperature reading.
WELLNESS PROMPT: Passengers will be prompted, either by an automated/electronic system or by one of our staff members, to determine whether or not all individual members of a group are feeling well, immediately prior to departure.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: In accordance with CDC, state, and local health agency guidelines, all train staff will be equipped with face masks, gloves, and other "PPE" that may be deemed necessary. Passengers are also welcomed and encouraged to wear face masks and gloves aboard our train.