I saw a post on Trainorders.com about a Metrolink Holiday Express Train and decided to ride it. I went to the Metrolink's website and ordered my single ticket, receiving Seat 10 in Car Six. I woke up that morning and tried to take my usual train ride to Oceanside but Pacific Surfliner 562 was have Positive Train Control problems and departed Los Angeles late, being scheduled to arrive in Santa Ana at 7:21 AM. I would never make Oceanside but I could go as far as Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, so I bought a ticket there and rode to that station. There, the Amtrak Agent Randy sold me a ticket to get back to Santa Ana on Pacific Surfliner 1565. I came home for a few minutes then returned to the Santa Ana station where I learned that Metrolink 660 was running 10-15 minutes late. I rode Metrolink 661 to Orange and took the underpass to Track 2 then decided to take a picture of Metrolink 660 as it arrived this morning.
Metrolink 660 came into Orange and I boarded the cab car for the trip to Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo.
Saddleback Mountain with snow and the Great Park balloon. I arrived there and found the line to get my ticket scanned.
Metrolink Holiday Express Train'Tis the season to treat your family to a unique journey on the Metrolink Holiday Express Train! For the first three Sundays in December, board our festively-decorated trains for an immersive and magical experience. For just $20, your holiday ride includes carollers, a visit from Santa Claus and his elves, and meet and greets with your favorite animated feature stars. (Hint: One of our special guests is the most beloved M-O-U-S-E of all time! We'll also be hosting the queen of ice and snow with her spunky little sister!) Plus, there will be children's activities, giveaways and more! Trains will leave on time and will board 20 minutes before departure. Please arrive early!
My ticket was scanned and I received a blue wrist band then picked up a new Metrolink pen and found the line I would be boarding and waited.
The security guard with Car 5 Red sign.
My security guard with Car 6 Rlue sign.
First Metrolink 859 came and left Laguna Niguel.
Next Pacific Surfliner 768 stopped on the platform for the meet with Pacific Surfliner 1569. We had to move Line 6 to the ramp as they had forgotten about Car 4.
After that the Metrolink Holiday Express Train arrived.
Santa Claus and the LA County Sheriff. They let Cars 4 and 5 board before Car 6 was allowed to board.
The decorated cab car.
We departed Laguna Niguel.
I asked the passengers to say "Merry Christmas!" and the back of the car did better than the front.
The waterfall at Trabuco Creek. After that we went through San Juan Capistrano.
We crossed San Juan Creek.
Santa's elves arrived in our car.
Then we reached the shores of the Pacific Ocean and my camera started to give me problems.
Santa's elves interacted with all of the children.
Up on the bluffs at San Clemente.
One of the homeowners' stairs.
The Califia Beach snack bar.
Santa Claus then visited each child in the car.
The characters Elsa and Anna from the film "Frozen".
Later, the Santa Margarita River.
The hospital at Camp Pendleton.
We crossed the San Luis Rey River before we arriving at Oceanside where we went to the platform at the south end so the engineer could switch ends. No one was allowed off and we soon departed, following Pacific Surfliner 1563 north.
A woman created balloon animals, a snowman or anything else that the children could think of.
Minnie Mouse entertained all the children.
Mickey Mouse was following Minnie through the car. It had been a fun trip and we arrived back at Laguna Niguel and I went to Track 1 to wait for Metrolink 665 to return me to Santa Ana.
The Metrolink Holiday Express Train at rest here.
Metrolink F125 928 and 890 was the power for this special train.
Pacific Surfliner 774 came through as I waited.
Pacific Surfliner 774 and Holiday Express Train. About twenty minutes later, after Pacific Surfliner 777 passed, Metrolink 665 arrived and I boarded and returned to Santa Ana, ending yet another rail adventure.
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