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The CTA Holiday Train Rides Again

By Camela Furry in Miscellaneous on Nov 19, 2009 5:00PM

We never intend to be all gloom and doom but when we have to be, we try to provide a little tonic for the soul to bring things back into balance. Take for example, a video of a frolicking baby otter to save you from being a complete pessimist after reading yesterday's Extra Extra (see last bullet). And, here's something else: just when it seemed like a lot of things that make Chicago the unique place it is were ending up on the cutting room floor - like the Outdoor Film Festival in Grant Park, Chicago Jazz Fest, and Looptopia - we're happy to hear the CTA Holiday Train is alive and well.

The Holiday Train will make it's first run this weekend and as in years past, it will be decorated to the hilt inside and out with thousands of multi-colored lights, garland, and Christmas decorations. The train is led by Santa's sleigh and his reindeer from an open-air flat car decorated with holiday trees. If you've ever had a chance to ride the Holiday Train, you know the best part is looking out the windows as the train pulls into a station and watching hardened faces soften, and kids who look like they've just been transported to the North Pole.

A complete Holiday Train Schedule beginning this Saturday the 21st, is available here. Next Wednesday the train will go continuously around the Loop from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Daley Plaza set to start at 4:30pm.