The Meridian Railroad Museum is getting ready to celebrate the Christmas season with not one — but two — visits from Mrs. Claus as she takes a break from the North Pole to visit boys and girls in Mississippi.

Mrs. Claus’ first visit to Meridian will come Sunday, Dec. 1, as Union Station prepares to welcome Santa Claus and his elves who are slated to roll into the station on the CPKC Holiday Express Train. Santa will be present and the train will be on display from 4-8 p.m.

Lines will begin forming earlier in the afternoon, so the Meridian Railroad Museum will open at 2 p.m. and remain open through the Holiday Express Train visit, said Anne McKee, executive director of the railroad museum.

“We are not going to charge anything for admission,” McKee said. “We will be there until the line dwindles down.”

Visitors will be able to tour the museum for free, and children can visit with Mrs. Claus and ride the miniature train out back of the building for no charge.

Then on Saturday, Dec. 7, Mrs. Claus will return to the railroad museum from 9 a.m. until noon to meet with area children as she travels through the state, McKee said. Admission is $5 and will include rides on the museum’s miniature train and tours of the railroad memorabilia.

“Mrs. Claus will be there to talk with the children, double check their wish list and check to see who has been naughty and nice,” McKee said. “She will tell some stories about the reindeer, and she will bring the latest news from the North Pole.”

Children must be accompanied by an adult for the Dec. 7 visit, and admission for adults is free that day.

“We are going to have a fun time this Christmas at the railroad museum. We hope all of the children can come out and visit with Mrs. Claus,” McKee said.

During the month of December, the railroad museum will operate under special holiday hours, opening on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.