Christmas Train Back On Track

By Jeffrey Smith, News On 6

PRYOR, OK -- A Green Country Christmas tradition is back on track. Camp Dry Gulch's Christmas Train celebrated a grand re-opening on Friday.

The Christmas Train whistles have been silent for the last few years. Over that time, the Wild West playground near Pryor underwent major remodeling and now, they have a lot more to offer.

For many families, it's not Christmas-time until that whistle sounds.

"Our whole family is here, we have cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, sisters, everyone's here," said Audra Briggs of Skiatook.

For years, tens of thousands of guests climbed aboard this old-fashioned steam locomotive. But the steam stopped blowing for the last three years. Now the experience is new and improved.

"We wanted to slow it down, one of the biggest complaints we got was that the train just moved too fast, people said they wanted to see the stuff longer," said Church on the Move Pastor Willie George.

It's a different route with an extended train to accommodate more people and there are new attractions when it's time to get off.

"They're going to notice bumper cars, carousels, new sidewalks where before it was all dirt streets," said George.

Once on board, guests are treated to a re-telling of the story of Christmas.

"He's at that age, you know, where it's time to learn about Christmas and experience Santa, so now it's a very fun, exciting time for us," said Jackie Boyd of Claremore.

Guests say it's fun for all ages and it won't break the bank.

"There's some things worth saving for, but there's some things worth spending money on, too. And this, this has gotta be one of them," said Randy Clay of Tulsa.

The Christmas train runs Nov. 29th, Dec. 5th-7th, Dec. 11-14 and Dec. 18-22. For tickets call 918-234-8100.