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Rode the Polar Express out of the St. Louis union station last night, Pulled by 2 Sd38-2 locos from the TRRA of St. Louis. This train is operated by the same person that runs the Durango and Silverton. The cars were lettered Polar Express and the interiors were festively decorated. My husband and I wore pajamas as instructed to and we took our daughter and a niece and nephew. They had actors portraying the characters in each car and waiters dressed up who actually danced, jumping up on the armrests as they delivered the hot chocolate and cookies. Then they read out of giant books with large illustrations until we reached the North Pole. The North Pole was a siding decorated with lights and a few props. Santa boarded the train and gave out sleigh bells and hugs at the North Pole and rode back with us telling stories and singing christmas carols and songs from the Disney movie Frozen. Photos were taken on a green board and our images were placed standing in front of 1225.  To top the night off, we went inside the grand dome of the station where a computer generated film/light show with music and film clips from the movie were projected across the whole dome. If you have never made it to St. Louis union station, at one time it was the busiest train station in the world and the grand dome has been recently restored again. If the same train makes it back next year we will do it again, this was a fantastic experience for children and adults who can still hear the bell.

 
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Originally Posted by jennifer kulich:
 

They had actors portraying the characters in each car and waiters dressed up who actually danced, jumping up on the armrests as they delivered the hot chocolate and cookies.

 

Jennifer,

 

Trying to picture me doing this (the jumping thing) and the only word that comes to mind is: catastrophic

 

Happy Holidays,

Simon

 

 

 

 

Good write up any photos from your trip??

 

It is interesting that most of the Polar Express train rides on many different railways, most of the events are on the train, with some sort of north pole display at the far end of the ride.

Would interested in seeing any photos of your lit up station! that would be interesting.

 

Rail events that licenses all the Polar Express events seems to do a good job in having the railways give a great experience for the families.

 

Our railway museum that runs trips tries to keep the train ride as close to the movie as possible as well with actors on the train. Not as dramatic with the dancing waiters on the armrests! (liability insurance) we stop the train then serve the hot chocolate.

However much of our activities are off the train where we call the roundhouse the north pole and after the train ride the families come back to see it and enjoy the events.

 

It is fantastic when the guests wear there pajamas as well really helps with the overall theme on the train. The kids always go away excited and happy.

 

Families come back year after year even with kids into the teens that always enjoy the event. While most have younger children it has also been popular with Seniors homes group outings and seniors clubs.  As some of the kids get older having done the train ride,  they have come on board as volunteers and characters and have a great time helping out.

 

Here are some photos of our museums Polar Express event on and off the train;

https://ogrforum.com/t...ess-train-experience

 

 

Originally Posted by PRRronbh:
Originally Posted by Lee Willis:

Oh wow!  That is very cool.  We have nothing like that here in NC.  It sounds like so much fun!

Actually Lee the Polar Express did operate out of the NCTM earlier this month.  But I am sure on a lesser scale. 

 

Ron

Actually, it is still running out of Bryson City on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. 

 

http://www.gsmr.com/events/abo...amily-fun#.VJnvd_8Ag

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