Page 242 - GrapevineFY24 Adopted Budget

Each luxurious coach contains enough walkover (bi-directional) seating for 72 guests. For onboard
comfort, each car contains ceiling fans and a complete water closet. The windows in each car may
be opened allowing passengers to experience the true essence of rail travel as it was at the turn of
the century. The day coaches were put into service in January 1992.

Touring Coaches - The Grapevine Vintage Railroad has two open-air touring coaches built in
1927 by the American Car Foundry for the Wabash Railroad. The Fort Worth and Western
Railroad purchased them from the Smoky Hill Railway Museum in Belton, Missouri. Both coaches
mirror the décor of the day coaches with the exception of windows. The touring coaches have
arched openings along their lengths with wrought iron railings for passenger safety. Each is
complemented with full-service bars. Riders experience an open-air feel as they travel. Windows
are installed during the winter months for passenger comfort. These touring coaches began service
in September 1993.

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad proudly features the following annual events:

TM
Day Out with Thomas – Springtime brings an event that’s anticipated by kids of all ages. That’s
when Thomas the Tank Engine TM rolls into Grapevine. During the Day Out with Thomas, a toy
train becomes life-sized and children enjoy a hands-on experience known as Thomas & Friends.
The mobile event lets kids ride on board a Thomas train and offers attractions that kids love, such
as bounce houses, free live entertainment, and a wonderful merchandise store for selection of that
unique “Thomas” item to commemorate this special trip for the children.

Train Robbers – Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, some locals will tell you, “It ain’t safe
to ride the train.” It’s all in fun though – enjoy the stages train robberies every Saturday and
Sunday on the Grapevine to Fort Worth trip. Desperate desperados lurk outside the Stockyards
Station and put on a great show of wacky fun.

The North Pole Express – Every December, the North Pole Express steams down the tracks filled
with pajama-clad youngsters. Along the way, the kids receive a special gift from Santa as he
makes his way down the aisle during this memorable Christmas journey. The area is a Christmas
Village with opportunities for lots of pictures and a bounce house for the children to enjoy prior to
their trip. In addition, the North Pole General Store offers a free ornament-making factory for that
special creative opportunity for the children and shopping for those special North Pole gifts.
Photos with Santa are also available.

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