A beloved tradition continues as the CPKC Holiday Express Train is set to roll into Meridian Sunday, Dec. 1, bringing Santa Claus and his elves to visit area children.

Part of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad, the festively adorned train is scheduled to stop from 4-8 p.m. at Union Station, located at 1901 Front Street.

“We are excited to have the Holiday Express Train back in Meridian,” said Terrence Davis, cultural affairs coordinator for the city’s Community Development department. “The event is free, and we normally have a large turnout for the stop. It is a really awesome holiday tradition.”

Last Christmas, a few thousand visitors from more than a 60-mile radius of Meridian waited in long lines, some up to two hours, to view the holiday train during its stop. Organizers expect a similar turnout this year.

“We had around 4,000 who came out last year and because of the turnout, it went past the 8 o’clock hour,” Davis said.

He added that the Holiday Express Train personnel were gracious enough to stay until almost 9 p.m. to make sure everyone who had been in line at closing time got a chance to tour the train.

Davis suggested visitors remember to be respectful of each other while waiting in line, and he said a couple of food trucks will be available during the stop.

Meridian’s Union Station will be one of three stops across the state as the Holiday Express Train visits 13 communities in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas between Nov. 30 and Dec. 14. The train’s schedule kicks off in Jackson on Nov. 30, followed by the Meridian stop then a visit to Vicksburg on Dec. 2 before the train heads to Louisiana.

Led by the smiling tank car “Rudy,” the holiday train is decked out in lights and features intricate displays inside and out. Santa will be on hand to take children’s wish lists and his elves will be assisting with the tours.

The Meridian Railroad Museum also will open for special hours during the Holiday Train stop with a special guest, Mrs. Claus, expected to make an appearance, said the museum’s Executive Director Anne McKee. Parents or grandparents are welcome to bring children to the museum and to talk with Mrs. Claus, she said. Admission will be free.

The Holiday Express Train will be the first of several holiday-themed activities for the first week of December with the city’s hosting its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, on the city hall lawn and the annual Christmas parade at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, downtown. The theme for this year’s parade is “A Whoville Christmas.”