We continued our tradition of riding the CTA Holiday Train in the Chicago area this year. If you’re not from Chicago and have never heard of it, it’s a holiday-themed train that only runs on certain L Train lines at scheduled times. In 2016 and 2017 we caught the train on the Red Line, which runs north-south through the city. This year, we picked the Purple Line in Evanston because we live in the village next door.
The holiday train was set to stop at Central Station in Evanston at 5:38 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, so we left our house at 5:10 p.m. to give us enough time. We parked in a garage next to Evanston Hospital, where Addi was born, and walked over to the station. Several other parents with young kiddos were also waiting for the train with us. It was due to head north to Linden, the last stop on the Purple Line, before turning around and heading back south. We waiting until almost 6 p.m. when the delayed holiday train finally arrived. Addi was starting to get a bit impatient because she’s not used to being in a carrier much anymore and she wants to crawl around. V. too, was starting to lose her patience.
When the train got to our station, the excitement of seeing Santa through us off and we didn’t board in time! It was the biggest fail. The doors closed as I tried to walk on and we were left in disbelief. Luckily for us, the train came back about 10-15 minutes later and we boarded then! It was another short train ride, but one that V loves and remembers.
I recommend picking a couple of dates and times to ride the train to give you a backup plan in case something happens. It’s definitely worth the ride, because kids love it and the elves pass out candy canes and buttons. It’s so fun for them!
Have you been on the CTA Holiday Train?
Watch a video of our ride!
Related posts:
2016 CTA Holiday Train
2017 CTA Holiday Train
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