Tucked just a few minutes from downtown Nashville, the Tennessee Central Railway Museum is a living, rolling tribute to Middle Tennessee’s railroading past—and an unexpected source of family fun year-round. Run largely by passionate volunteers, the museum preserves the legacy of the historic Tennessee Central Railway while inviting visitors to experience rail travel the way it used to be: in vintage passenger coaches behind classic diesel locomotives, on real rails, through real countryside. Among its most beloved traditions is the Santa Express, a festive holiday train that has become a must-do seasonal outing for countless families across the region.
A brief look at the museum’s roots helps explain why the Santa Express resonates so strongly. The original Tennessee Central Railway stitched together communities across the state for decades, carrying passengers and freight through Nashville and points east and west. Like many mid-20th-century railroads, it faced financial headwinds and eventually ceased operations. Years later, local railroaders, historians, modelers, and community members rallied to save what they could—equipment, artifacts, and stories—and to keep railroading alive in a hands-on way. The result is the Tennessee Central Railway Museum: part exhibit space, part workshop, part rail yard, and part departure point for excursion trains that make history tangible.
On non-operating days, the museum offers a look at restored equipment, memorabilia, photographs, and model layouts that bring Tennessee’s rail era to life. But the magic really happens when the museum’s excursion schedule kicks in. Using historic passenger cars and vintage diesel power, volunteers host themed rides along the Nashville-area rails, typically on weekends. These trips showcase the gentle rhythm of rail travel you can’t appreciate from a car: the sway of the coach, the ever-changing views of towns and fields, and the camaraderie among people who, for a few hours, share a destination and a story.
The Santa Express is the museum’s signature holiday outing. Often scheduled throughout late November and December, the ride transforms the excursion train into a rolling wonderland of festive decor, music, and cheer. Depending on the year, departures may run during the day or at twilight, and the route usually follows the museum’s standard excursion corridor through Middle Tennessee—long enough to feel like an adventure, but short enough to be friendly for younger riders. The exact schedule and route can vary, so it’s best to check the museum’s official site for current details and ticketing…