We attended the Lights of Life, a well known light display at Life University in Marietta, GA near Atlanta and they had a roller coaster. In addition to lights they also have a parking area with attractions that this year included a kiddie roller coaster called Runaway Train. It was the most simple coaster you could possibly imagine, but a true coaster nonetheless and the best surprise Christmas Eve gift.

The Runaway Train is a kiddie coaster manufactured by Güven Amusement Rides, a Turkish company. The ride begins with a booster-wheel lift and then works its way around a simple oval course with small hills. The train is extremely well themed as a railroad train and it has a great backdrop with colorful lights. The coaster is owned and operated by midway and amusement ride company James H. Drew Exposition who is also known for owning the permanent Schwarzkopf coaster Wildcat at the North Georgia State Fair.

I wasn’t expecting to get a credit that day and it’s pretty rare when that happens. In fact I thought I probably wasn’t getting any new ones until 2026. So it didn’t matter what coaster it was, just the surprise of riding one was enough to make a great Christmas Eve.