New Hope Valley Railway’s (NHVR) family-friendly Track or Treat: Halloween Express takes place on Saturdays Oct. 10, 17 and 24, and 31, 2020, with five train departure times at 2:45, 4:00, 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.
Tickets are $14. Purchase tickets here.
Tickets will only be sold online, and not at the railroad the day of the event.
New Hope Valley Railway is at 3900 Bonsal Road, New Hill, about a half hour from Raleigh.
Passengers and guests will notice several new safety measures and protocols:
- Train capacity will be limited to 30 percent for socially distanced seating in accordance with government mandates. Each passenger car normally holds up to 60 riders. In addition to individual tickets, a private Family Caboose will be available with seating for up to 10 family members.
- Face coverings will be required for all guests, passengers and volunteers while in the rail yard and when riding the train. Costumes are encouraged, but Halloween costume masks may not replace proper face coverings.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout the railway and at each boarding platform.
- One person from each reservation party should check-in at the ticket office upon arrival at least 30 minutes before their departure time to pick up train tickets.
Only one family will be allowed in the gift shop at a time and only cashless transactions will be accepted.
The train rides are an all-outdoor activity and our passenger cars are open-air, making the Halloween train rides a fun way for families to enjoy the cooler fall temperatures and celebrate the spooky season.
Along the tracks, train passengers will see kid-friendly scenes of flying witches, smoking cauldrons and other creatures. Additionally, young riders can play Mummy Mayhem, where from the comfort of their seats children can search for hidden mummies along the train route.
Kid’s activities that are usually set up throughout the rail yard won’t be happening, but families can still take photos with Halloween-themed backdrops and watch model trains zip around the Garden Railway. The Birthday Party caboose, along with museum exhibit cars, will be closed until further notice.
Food and drinks are not included in the train ticket price.
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