Take a look inside the popular Polar Express Train Ride this holiday season
The popular Polar Express Train Ride at the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum is bringing Christmas joy to a bevy of children with golden tickets.
The holiday train ride kicked off for the season on Nov. 9 and will run through Dec. 22. The train departs from the train depot on Sylvanus Street in Chehalis and takes riders on a 75-minute journey to the North Pole — the one near the town of Adna.
This is the 14th year the CCR&M has hosted the experience and the 20th anniversary of director Robert Zemeckis’ film featuring Tom Hanks. And this year, The Olympian got an inside look of the train ride experience.
Mary Kay Nelson, CCR&M president, called the tradition an amazing event for families across the region.
“We are thrilled to be able to see the happy families that participate in this,” Nelson said. “It’s been just a joyous way of celebrating the holidays. Over the 14 years we’ve been doing it, we’ve seen a huge increase. We’ve added a lot of dynamics to the production, and we’re very proud of what we’re putting on today to bring so many people to the North Pole.”
Tina Nixon, CCR&M event coordinator, said they have added new songs, performances, and characters to better bring the story to life this year.
“Better to exceed expectations, rather than just meet them,” Nixon said.
The experience starts at the train depot, which is decorated for the occasion and playing music from the film. Children line up at a window to get their golden tickets and can check out a gift shop before moving towards the deck to await the train, Nixon said.
The conductor then comes out to welcome the passengers and perform a short skit with a child in attendance. Performers start singing and clapping immediately once everyone is aboard, Nixon said. The conductor punches each person’s ticket as well.
Passengers are served hot chocolate and cookies as they listen to the Polar Express children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Eventually, the train reaches the North Pole where Santa Claus and his helpers board the train.
“He meets every child and gives them, of course, the first gift of Christmas, which is that silver bell,” Nixon said. “But not only the children get the bell, everyone on the train gets a bell.”
Nixon said performers take time and care to interact with each passenger on the train ride. She said the experience can be special for parents and guardians as well.
“I would just pitch to them to come and share this magical journey with their grandchild or their child, bringing all the characters and the story to life… and maybe even be able to see the magic of Christmas through their children’s eyes,” she said.
Tickets hard to come by
Those still looking to take the train ride may have to wait until next year. Tickets for the whole season were nearly sold out as of Wednesday, Nixon said. Only a few tickets, numbering in the single digits, were available to purchase on still-open days.
“We started selling tickets in September and people stand in line waiting for those tickets to go on sale,” Nelson said. “(People) are still asking me for seating and I don’t have enough. Hopefully next year we’ll have more seating capacity.”
Tickets start at $64 and patrons can choose their seat. The train departs Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 9 to Dec. 22 and Fridays from Nov. 29 to Dec. 20.
More information about the Polar Express train ride can be found the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum website.
