After 2,000-plus Christmases, the reindeer need a break, so Santa's scuttling his sleigh for the South Sound leg of his trip this holiday season in favor of something a bit more high-tech: the railroad.

Passengers aboard the 47th Annual "Santa Train" at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie will get to meet Santa when the train starts making trips from North Bend to the "North Pole" (Snoqualmie) later this month. Santa will visit with the little kids and give each one a small gift, and "big kids" can browse the local shops, Christmas tree farms and attractions. The Santa Train goes retro for its Friday, Dec. 16 trip, with a Victorian-style train complete with historical re-enactors and Father Christmas standing in for Santa. (The Santa Train also features special engagements for children with special needs.)

Santa will also make regular appearances onboard the "Polar Express" when it pulls in at the Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum in Elbe later this week. This whimsical journey captures all of the holiday magic of Chris Van Allsburg's beloved 1985 children's classic and its 2004 film adaptation. Passengers will enjoy a reading of the original book, laugh at the chefs' antics, drink hot chocolate and munch on cookies while the "Express" makes its way to the North Pole. Upon arrival, Santa will board the train to give each child a silver bell - the first gift(s) of Christmas. (Passengers are encouraged to wear their pajamas.)

If real trains are too big for you, check out the 21st Annual Model Train Festival at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma next month. This event showcases dozens of detailed model railroad scenes styled after real-world locations, including the Pacific Northwest, as well as the largest permanent model train layout in the state. This year's exhibit includes areas of the museum's great hall highlighting the history of the railroad industry in Washington.

"This is what really ties this event to the History Museum," said Erich Ebel, marketing and communications director. "This state was really born with the arrival of the railroads. (It's) why towns are laid out and located the way they are."

Plus, if you visit the museum on Dec. 21, 22 or 23 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Santa Claus will be on-site taking photos with museum patrons at no extra cost.

If the exhibit inspires you, pay a visit to Tacoma Trains & Hobbies. A fixture in the Proctor District for over 20 years, Tacoma Trains features model railway building kits for all ages and skill levels - from Thomas the Tank Engine to Lionel and O-Scale. The store also features model rockets and slot-racing cars. While Santa won't be taking a train to the historic district, he will be there for the annual Holiday Fest in December.

Even if you're working on the railroad (or elsewhere), all the livelong day, there's plenty of opportunities for kids age 1 to 12 to pass the time away this holiday season and get some facetime with St. Nick.

The Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum Polar Express Train Ride, Nov. 19-Dec. 30, 54124 Mountain Hwy. E., Elbe; for times and tickets, please call 888.783.2611 or visit www.mtrainierrailroad.com

The Northwest Railway Museum Santa Train, Nov. 26-Dec. 17, 38625 SE King St., Snoqualmie; for times and tickets, please call 425.888.2206 or visit www.trainmuseum.org

The Washington State History Museum Model Train Festival, Dec. 21-Jan. 1, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; for times and tickets, please call 253.272.3500 or visit www.washingtonhistory.org

Tacoma Trains & Hobbies, 3813 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.756.7517, open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., www.tacoma-trains.com