Don't head out to the Museum of Life and Science for its Santa Train unless you have tickets. All 15 nights are sold out. And North Carolina Amtrak's Santa Train also is sold out.

But no fear. There are still some opportunities to catch Santa on a train (or near one). New Hope Valley Railway's Santa Train rides are this weekend and next weekend. And the Holiday Express at Pullen Park runs from Dec. 10 to Dec. 14.

In both cases, you can purchase tickets in advance. And I'd highly recommend it, if you want to guarantee a decent departure time. 

If you're up for a drive, the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer (about two hours away) will offer train rides with Santa starting this weekend. And if you're up for a really long drive, the Great Smoky Mountain Railway in western North Carolina has its Polar Express.