CTA Holiday Train 2011 -- join us THIS Friday

* Join JP & his family this Friday to ride the Holiday Train. Meet us at the 95th street platform at 4:25pm.  Send an e-mail to jp (at) thesixthward (dot) us  for details.  See the following for other times & details to ride the train).

The Chicago Transit Authority has now announced their schedule for the Holiday Train, featuring a special car for Santa Claus, with specific stop times.

I have taken my daughter previous years to the Holiday Train, and it was fun. For just the cost of an El Ride, we were able to get to Belmont and take some photos.

The Holiday schedule will be posted here.

This Saturday, families can take photos from 1:45pm - 2:15pm at the 95th street station.

Some suggestions for those considering doing it this year:

1. Go to the beginning of the trip (whether it's Howard or 95th). Even just 2 stops into the "tour", at 79th, the train was quite crowded already.
2. Plan to be there at least 15 minutes ahead of schedule. It will be a lot less stressful.
3. There is a time to get a photo taken next to Santa and in front of the trains. This includes at the very beginning, but also at 1 or 2 major stops, like Belmont. But note-- it's only about 4 minutes to do so. So take your photos and hop back on! (we wound up missing it after the photos)

The dates, times and directions for the 69th, 79th, 87th and 95th el stops:

(Dec 14 Wed - Northbound)

• 95th = 4:22pm
• 87th = 4:25pm
• 79th = 4:27pm
• 69th = 4:29pm

(Dec 16 Fri - Northbound)

• 95th = 4:48pm
• 87th = 4:51pm
• 79th = 4:54pm
• 69th = 4:57pm

(Dec 17 Sat - Northbound)

• 95th = 2:51pm and 7:11pm
• 87th = 2:54pm and 7:14pm
• 79th = 2:57pm and 7:17pm
• 69th = 3:00pm and 7:20pm

(Dec 20  Tue- Northbound)

• 95th = 5:19pm
• 87th = 5:22pm
• 79th = 5:25pm
• 69th = 5:28pm

Any families want to meet up this year?  E-mail us at blog (at) TheSixthWard (dot) us