VRE 'Santa Train' Tickets Sell Out in Less Than a Day

The holiday event, which is a collarborative effort among Operation Lifesaver, CSXT and Norfolk Southern every year, has continued to grow in popularity around the region.

This was made evident after tickets went on sale Monday at 9 a.m. for the holiday excursion and sold out online by 9:12 a.m. Most merchant locations selling the tickets reported they were all out by noon, with the last tickets sold at 2 p.m. VRE officials reported getting hundreds and hundreds of calls Tuesday for the tickets.

and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa's Helpers will also be on board handing out candy and other treats. High school choral groups and other entertainment will also perform during the train ride.

The event is purposed to help promote train safety and the VRE Operation Lifesaver's, "Look, Listen and Live" Campaign. Proceeds from the event go to Operation Lifesaver, which is held in conjunction with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots.

Santa Train riders are encouraged to donate items to Toys for Tots at designated drop off points at the Fredericksburg, Manassas, Burke Centre and Woodbridge stations.