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Rail of Lights Christmas & New Year’s Train

November 18th, 2013 by carriagehouse

Christmas Rail of Lights

 

Step back in time as the Historic Jefferson Railway, an antique narrow-gauge train, embraces an old-fashioned Christmas in the country. Enjoy the lighted vignettes and hear the story of “Celebrations Around the World” aboard the train that circles the Piney Woods along the Big Cypress Bayou. The decorated historic railroad depot captures the holiday spirit complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas Train opens on November 28, 2013 and runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 22, 2013. (Closed December 1st).

Also, ring in the New Year with the Rail of Lights New Year’s Train running December 26-29 and the 31st. This ride will feature the dropping of the ball in Times Square, complete with beverages, noisemakers and a fantastic fireworks show on every train ride.

Rail of Lights Christmas and New Year’s Train

$18, First Class Enclosed Coach, plus applicable sales tax
$15, Open Coach, plus applicable sales tax
Lap Children under 4 are free
Group discounts available for 15+
Depot opens at noon each day of the Event

Christmas Trains

Thursday, November 28, December 5, 12, 19 @ 7:00
Friday, November 29, December 6, 13, 20 @ 7:00, 8:00
Saturday, November 30, December 7, 14, 21 @ 7:00, 8:00, 9:00
Sunday, December 8, 15, 22 @ 6:00

New Year’s Trains

December 26, 27, 28, 29 @ 7:00
December 31 @ 7:00, 8:00

Tickets are going fast. Buy yours online at www.RailofLights.com before they are sold out.

The Old Fashion Christmas Parade in Jefferson Texas

December 16th, 2012 by carriagehouse

Santa Claus

Santa and I waiting for the parade to start.

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year in Jefferson.  Every weekend there is something new going on to celebrate the season.  The first two weekend’s of the year are always the Candlelight Tour of Homes and the Christmas Carols at the local churches.  The Rail of Lights Steam Train goes on every weekend from Thanksgiving to New Years.  The Enchanted Forest with a hundred decorated and lit Christmas Trees in Lions Park is sure to put even Scrooge in the Christmas Spirit but my favorite event of the year is the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade which wanders through the streets of Jefferson the third Saturday of December.

This year, I was promoted to Chief Elf and got to ride on top of the fire truck with Santa Claus throwing candy out at the Kids.  I had so much fun and hope I get to keep my position next year even though I will be off the Marion County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Enjoy this little video I put together of our Santa having a little fun while waiting for the parade to start.  I hope it brings a smile to your face and some Christmas Spirit to your day.

New Year’s Eve Train in Historic Jefferson Texas

December 22nd, 2011 by carriagehouse

Robert E Lee

 Rail of Lights New Year’s Train – Jefferson, Texas


Blast into the New Year aboard the Rail of Lights New Year’s Train in Jefferson, Texas. The unforgettable ride on an old-fashioned steam train departs December 30th at 7 and 8 and on December 31st, New Year’s Eve, at 8:30, 9:30 and 11:30. Passengers will enjoy lighted scenes along the Cypress Bayou River as they hear the tale of New Year’s traditions, customs and superstitions.

The patrons will receive New Year’s hats and noisemakers. Each train will include a simulation of the New Year’s Eve Ball dropping in Times Square followed by a fantastic fire works show.

Hear about the unique New Year’s customs across the United States, including stories of the Good Luck Dragon in Oriental, North Carolina; Christkindl Market in Akron, Ohio; the Live Toy Soldier drum and light show in Bellevue, Washington; and Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Children and adults alike will be awed by the historic railroad depot decked out with gingerbread house theme. The wonderful narrated tour will also give our patrons an opportunity to sing some of their favorite New Year’s songs as they discover the joy of New Years along the river.

Plan to stay the weekend in the Cypress Bayou RV Park, just one mile from Jefferson, and watch all of the fireworks as the train comes through the park. Ask about our holiday get-away pricing of $15 per night.

Ticket Prices: First Class $21; Coach Class: Adults $16.50; Lap children under 4 are free. First Class is offered in a beautiful historic, enclosed coach. If you are riding Coach Class, be sure to dress warmly and bring a blanket as you will be riding in open cars. Seats are limited, so purchase your tickets early.

Tickets are available by phone, on-line at www.jeffersonrailway.com and in person during business hours at the Historic Jefferson Railway Depot at 400 E. Austin, Jefferson Texas. Call 866-398-2038 or visit our website for ticket information.

Jefferson is nestled deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas and seems frozen in time. It is a charming town and an elegant reminder of a bygone era. The downtown area will be aglow with lights and greenery during the holiday season. There are over a hundred buildings in the city with historical markers. Many historic homes offer bed and breakfast accommodations. Dozens of other historic buildings house museums, craft and antique shops and restaurants.

New Year’s is a holiday celebrated around the World. You’ll want to make Jefferson and the New Year’s Train a part of your annual holiday festivities.

Rail of Lights Christmas and New Year’s Train Day Trips in Jefferson, Texas

November 25th, 2011 by carriagehouse

Christmas Rail of Lights

Take to the Rails during the Daylight

Rail of Lights Christmas & New Year’s Train – Jefferson, Texas

In addition to the traditional evening trains, Historic Jefferson Railway has added a few day runs so that patrons can experience the beautiful ride along the Cypress Bayou River.

Day runs will be available on December 9, 12, 13 and 14 at 1:30 p.m.  No reservations necessary – there will be plenty of room available.

Tickets are now on sale for the evening trains.  As seating is limited, get your tickets early.  Make this a holiday to remember aboard the Rail of Lights Christmas Train in Jefferson, Texas.  The unforgettable ride aboard an old-fashioned steam train departs each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Thanksgiving through December 24. Passengers will enjoy lighted scenes along the Cypress Bayou River as they hear about “Christmas Traditions Around the Globe”.

Also, ring in the New Year with the Rail of Lights New Year’s Train running on December 30 and 31st. This ride will feature the dropping of the ball in Times Square, complete with beverages, noisemakers and a fantastic fire works show on every train ride.

Spend the weekend in Jefferson and stay in the Cypress Bayou RV Park, just one mile from Jefferson.  You can see lights on the river during the Christmas Trains and watch the New Year’s fireworks as the train comes through the park.  Ask about our special holiday get-away pricing of $15 per night.

The excursions will take you by a life-size nativity scene, the German Markets, Jerusalem and the Angel Tree.  Glimpse Christmas trees simply decorated reminiscent of the bare-limbed sourwood of the Appalachian Christmas Tree.   View scenes representing Toyland, Alaska, San Francisco, China, Australia, New Orleans,  and the Arizona Hopi Indian nation.

Enjoy an authentic life-sized 90-year old Christmas card as well as the Support Our Troops display featuring a post card sent by soldiers during World War II, and other favorites: the aluminum tree, reminiscent of the 1960’s; a whimsical Teddy Bear tree; and Charlie Brown’s forlorn little Christmas tree.

The decorated historic railroad depot captures the holiday spirit. The narrated tour on the day train will be a combination of Jefferson history and description of our Christmas scenes.

During the evening, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus before boarding the train for the wonderful narrated tour, accompanied by a local vocalist, who will give patrons an opportunity to sing some of their favorite Christmas Carols as they create unique Christmas memories riding along the river.

Ticket Prices:  Day train First Class $16.50; Coach Class $13.00.  Evening Trains:  First Class $21; Coach Class: $14.75 – $16.50. Lap children under 4 are free.

First Class is offered in a beautiful historic, heated, enclosed coach. If you are riding Coach Class, be sure to dress warmly and bring a blanket, as you will be riding in open cars. Seating is limited on the evening trains so purchase your tickets early.  The easiest way to get tickets is to order online at www.RailofLights.com.

Jefferson is nestled deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. It seems frozen in time and is an elegant reminder of a bygone era. The downtown area will be aglow with lights and greenery during the holiday season. You will want to make Jefferson and the Christmas Train a tradition for your whole family.

Celebrate Flag Day Aboard Jefferons’ Historic Railway

June 1st, 2011 by carriagehouse

Ghost Train

Photo by Sam Wilson

In celebration of Flag Day, the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 and inspired by three decades of state and local celebrations, The Historic Jefferson Railway will offer a special Flag Day Weekend, June 10 and 11, 2011. Every rider will receive a free Flag Day gift and active Military Personnel can ride free.

Looking for a place close to town to camp or bring your RV? Come stay at the Cypress Bayou RV Park, just one mile from Jefferson, adjacent to the Cypress Bayou River. The park offers secluded tent camping and RV sites with water and electric surrounded by beautiful wooded acreage. Observe the abundant wildlife and enjoy great fishing and boating, as well as hiking and mountain biking on groomed trails.

We will have a celebration of flags at the historic train depot and along the track as the history of Flag Day unfolds in our narrated day tours. Come see the “Support Our Troops” display that honors the United States Military. You can get your own flag and a pole as you see more at the website.

Climb aboard as the Railway recreates the Golden Era of steam railroading. With whistles blowing and pistons chugging, the live steam, narrow gauge railroad transports its passengers back to the 1800’s on a scenic narrated tour along the Big Cypress Bayou, rolling through the history laden Piney Woods.

You can view a Confederate Powder Magazine along the five-mile tour as well as the historical ruins of the Clark and Boice Sawmill and the first iron foundry in East Texas.

Start Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 with free Ghost Stories at the historic “haunted” train depot. The story-teller will keep you at the edge of your seat as you hear stories about famous and not-so-famous Ghosts of Jefferson and Northeast Texas.

Then climb aboard the legendary Ghost Train at 9:00. The Ghost Train carries you deep into the dark woods along the Bayou. The narrator shares legends of Jefferson and East Texas ghosts and a story or two that will make you reach for your loved ones! Historic Jefferson Railway was nominated as one of the Best Excursion Railroad Theme Trains for its Ghost Train by the readers of Cowcatcher magazine for the First Annual 2009 Gold Rail Awards.

The Railway has become a part of the thriving community of Jefferson sponsoring major events throughout the year that bring over 20,000 visitors to Jefferson. Riders look forward all year to Terror on the Bayou Fright Train, Rail of Lights Christmas & New Year’s Train as well as Diamond Don’s Riverport National Vintage Motocross and the Trammel’s Trace Rendezvous.

The train was built in 1964 for Six Guns Territory in Florida and moved to Jefferson in 1986. It is a Crown Metals reproduction of the 1870’s American class 4-4-0 steam locomotive christened the Robert E. Lee and known as Engine #7. The open car coach seats still carry the custom medallions cast into them designed especially for the Six Guns amusement park.

Historic Jefferson Railway is located at 400 E. Austin in Downtown Jefferson, Texas. For information on pricing, schedule and events, please visit http://www.jeffersonrailway.com/or call 866-398-2038.

Open air coach $12, plus tax
Children under 6 FREE
Active Military ride free during Flag Day Weekend
10% discount to Seniors

Come join us for Ghost Stories at the depot.
And IT’S FREE!

Friday
Depot opens at 6:00
FREE Ghost Stories at 8:00
Ghost Train departs at 9:00

Saturday
Depot opens at noon
Narrated Day Train departs at 2:30 and 4:30
FREE Ghost Stories at 8:00
Ghost Train departs at 9:00

Christmas in Jefferson, Texas

November 26th, 2010 by carriagehouse

Victorian Santa

A Victorian Santa

It  is hard for me to believe this but it is already Christmas.  Today is Black Friday and the malls and stores are jam packed with people.  Cars are circling over-filled parking lots and there are long lines at the cash register.  It hardly feels like Christmas, more like an over-hyped department store sale.  The non stop commercials and advertisements will make even the most cheerful person say Bah Humbug.

If you need a break from all of this craziness, come on down to Jefferson for an old fashioned Victorian Christmas.

There is no place more magical than Jefferson at Christmas.  The beautiful historic homes twinkle with brightly colored Christmas lights and the town is festively adorned with Christmas trimming.  The churches are filled with Christmas carolers and the parks transform into enchanted forests of decorated Christmas trees.  The very air you breathe will fill you with the Christmas Spirit.

December 2nd – 4th and December 9th – 11th, the Candlelight Tour of Homes will offer visitors to the picturesque little town the chance to walk through four of the most beautiful homes in Jefferson. Each one of these homes will be dressed in live greenery, glowing candles, and unique Christmas decorations.  Docents dressed in Victorian period dress will guide visitors through these houses by candlelight and share the storied histories of these amazing homes.

The famous Christmas Rail of Lights will be steaming its way through Jefferson during the Christmas Season.  The narrow gauge locomotive will take you through scenes from the “History of the Christmas Tree” as it chugs along the banks of the Big Cypress Bayou. Have your heart warmed by 25 different Christmas scenes built into the forest landscape.

The First Methodist Church will be sponsoring this year’s Christmas Music Concert Series each night of the Candlelight Tour of Homes.  Sounds of the season resonate throughout Jefferson as these musical concerts perform.  Choral groups, hand bells, and chimes delight all ages. The concerts are free to the public.

Lions Park will be transformed from a traditional city park to an Enchanted Forest of Christmas Trees. Each Christmas Tree will be decorated by a local business, church, school class or civic group. Be enchanted as you walk through a sparkling, wonderland of Christmas trees.

There are special festivities at the Carriage House as well.

This historic home is beautifully decorated for the season. Sit in our parlor and enjoy the fireplace while sitting by the Christmas Tree.  Join us each afternoon as we share a traditional Norwegian Christmas treat of Glogg and Peppercaker.

Candlelight in Jefferson is so special that all lodging fills and available rooms become impossible to find. We only have a few rooms left, so please call us at 903-665-9511 to make your reservation today.

The Perfect Gift

November 27th, 2009 by

It is Black Friday today and do you know what you are going to get everyone on your list? There is always that one person that is impossible to buy for. That one person that seems to have everything. You rack your brain and are simply stumped! What do they want? What can you get them?
How about a Carriage House Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificate? Everyone appreciates the gift of relaxation.
You can buy gift certificates for one night, two nights or as many nights as you would like. Simply call us and we can help you decide the type of gift certificate that you need. We can take your order over the phone and mail you the gift certificate or email it to you if you would like to print it out yourself.
A Carriage House Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificate is perfect for a special teacher, your pastor or best friend. So give them the gift they really want, give them the gift of relaxation and pampering.
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