The CTA Holiday Train heads toward the Loop on a Brown Line track on Dec. 1, 2021, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

       The Chicago Transit Authority is offering special trips of the holiday train the next two Sundays, giving Chicagoans additional opportunities to ride the specially decorated train this year.

       The additional runs will take passengers around the Loop between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, the CTA said in a news release.

       The CTA Holiday Train heads outbound from the Loop on a Brown Line track on Dec. 1, 2021, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

       “These special Loop trips will allow the public to ride the downtown ‘L,’ as well as capture beautiful images of the Train — even seen from street level — as its decorative exterior is reflected in the downtown skyscrapers,” the CTA said in a news release. “Those are Instagram moments, for sure!”

       The train, adorned with lights and holiday decorations, ran without passengers last year due to the pandemic.

       Santa, his assistant Ella the Elf and the CTA are reminding passengers that masks are required regardless of vaccination status and people should continue to socially distance as much as possible.

       If the train gets too crowded, it may not stop to pick up more passengers. There will also not be photos with Santa this year, and riders are asked not to bring strollers.

       Along with the special Sunday Loop runs, the train will travel all eight rail lines until Dec. 22.

       The holiday train can be tracked at transitchicago.com/traintracker by looking for the train marked with a candy cane icon.

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