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Be Sure to visit The Official Warner Bros' website for The Polar Express! Would you like to ride on The Polar Express? Read this story written by eight-year-old Peter Tabor Rossi, a third-grader in Costa Mesa, and find out how you too can experience the magic . . . Polar Expressions An eight-year old boy writes about a storybook train trip that came to life. Source: AAA - Westways Magazine If you live in or near one of these states (or your parents decide it’s time for a vacation) here’s your chance to experience the magic of the The Polar Express for yourself! Arizona Grand Canyon Railway This train departs the Williams Depot for a special visit to the “North Pole” with Santa! Come dressed in your pajamas and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while you listen to a reading of The Polar Express. When you arrive at the “North Pole” Santa himself boards the train with a special treat for all of the passengers who truly believe in Christmas! Source: Grand Canyon Railway & Resort, Williams, Arizona Departure Dates: November 12, 13, 19, 20 December 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2004 Tickets: Adults: $20 Children: $8 (ages 2 - 16) Price is per person and does not include tax. Check their website for a special Polar Express Package and call reservations at 1-800-THE-TRAIN for departure times and more information. Illinois Bloomingdale Public Library A tradition that began in 1998, the Polar Express train ride sponsored by the Bloomingdale Public Library departs on December 5, 2004. Take the Metra train from Roselle to Elgin or rather the “North Pole.” Along the way hear the story of the Polar Express, sing Christmas carols, drink hot chocolate, and have cookies. A visit with Santa himself is featured on the ride back to the station. Source: Bloomingdale Public Library, Bloomingdale, Illinois Fox River Trolly Museum “This Polar Express ride departs on Dec. 4, 2004. Chris van Allsburg's best-selling book, The Polar Express, comes alive aboard the museum's trolley cars. Board the all-reserved Polar Express at the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve station for a ride north to meet Santa and experience the magic of the season, beginning at 5 p.m. Fares are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and children 3-11. Reservations are required by writing the museum, at P.O. Box 315, South Elgin, IL 60277-0315 or by e-mail through the museum's special events Web page. Source: Fox River Trolly Museum, South Elgin, Illinois Glen Ellyn Park District The Polar Express train ride leaves Glen Ellyn Train Station on December 11, 2004. Hear the Polar Express read out loud and follow along with your complimentary book per family. Snack on chocolate milk and cookies and enjoy a visit from Santa. Source: Glen Ellyn Park District, Glen Ellyn, Illinois Morton Grove Park District “Travel along with the Morton Grove Park District as we venture on a memorable Metra train ride. Enjoy the ride as a storyteller reads the magical story, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa will await your arrival at the North Pole and then join us aboard the train for milk and cookies.” Source: Morton Grove Park District, Morton Grove, Illinois Indiana Indiana Transportation Museum “Families have been gathering at the Fishers Station to hear the Chris Van Allsburg story The Polar Express which recounts a child's magical train ride to the North Pole to visit Santa. A spirited reading along with visuals will tell the story of the child's adventure. A real train ride follows the reading. After the story reading, Santa will pay a visit. The Elves and the Polar Bear will then greet riders on the platform where the train ride begins. Refreshments will be served as the train travels to the south edge of Noblesville and back. The story and train ride will take approximately 1.5 hours.” Source: Indiana Transportation Museum, Noblesville, Indiana Departure Dates & Times: Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 9:45 AM 11:00 AM 12:15 PM 1:30 PM 2:45 PM 4:00 PM Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004 1:30 PM 2:45 PM 4:00 PM Cost - Story Reading, Train Ride, Onboard Snack 3 yrs. to Adult - $10.00 2 yrs. or under - Free Special Evening Time Both Days - 5:15 PM Cost - Story Reading, Train Ride, Onboard Snack 3 yrs. to Adult - $12.00 2 yrs. or under - Free Iowa Midwest Central Railroad The Polar Express Train is operating from December 3-5, 2004. For more information call (319) 385-3101. Source: Midwest Central Railroad, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Minnesota The North Shore Scenic Railroad “The Polar Express departs from Fitger's Brewery Complex and travels along the Lakewalk to the Depot, where passengers enjoy a reading of Chris Van Allsburg's holiday classic. Afterward hearing the story and visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the train returns to Fitger's for a campfire and hot cocoa. Tickets sell out early for these excursions, so make your plans early.” Source: The North Shore Scenic Railroad, Duluth, Minnesota Dates of Departure: November 26, 27, 28 December 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 Montana Charlie Russell Chew-Choo “Inspired by the award winning book, this children’s train ride to the North Pole offers families an inexpensive means to experience the Charlie Russell Chew-Choo. The 1 1/2 hour long train ride to Christmas Town includes cookies and hot chocolate, a reading of the book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, lots of elves, carols, and a gift for each child from Santa.” Check the train schedule for departure times. Source: Charlie Russell Chew-Choo, Lewistown, Montana Dates of Departure: Saturday December 4, 2004 Friday December 17 & Saturday 18, 2004 Nevada Nevada Northern Railway Museum “Steam Locomotive 93 and the passenger cars Ely and Nevada will be traveling to a far away place . . . the North Pole! This special train leaves the Nevada Northern Railway Depot at 1100 Avenue A in Ely.” On our way to the North Pole you can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while the story of the Polar Express is read. Upon your arrival to the North Pole Santa will board the train and greet all of the passengers presenting them with a silver bell. Source: Nevada Northern Railway Museum, Ely, Nevada Dates and Times of Departure Sat. 27 Nov. at 9:30 am, 1pm & 4pm Sun. 28 Nov. at 9:30am & 1pm Sat. 04 Dec. at 1pm & 4pm Sun. 05 Dec. at 9:30 am Sat. 11 Dec. at 1pm & 4pm Sun. 12 Dec. at 9:30 am & 1pm New Hampshire Conway Scenic Railroad This is a magical re-creation of the Chris Van Allsburg story of a mystical journey to the North Pole. Ticket Lottery information is available at (603)-447-3100. For general information call 1-800-232-5251. Source: Mount Washington Valley, North Conway, New Hampshire Departure Dates: Thursday Dec. 2 - Sunday Dec. 5, 2004 Thursday Dec. 9 - Sunday Dec. 12, 2004 Thursday Dec. 16 - Sunday Dec. 19, 2004 New Mexico Santa Fe Southern Railway This train leaves on Saturday December 18 , 2004 and the ride is from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Wear your “jammies” and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while you listen to The Polar Express. Books are available for purchase on board. Source: Santa Fe Southern Railway, Santa Fe, New Mexico Prices: Adult $25 Senior $21 Child $14 (Coach Only) New York Adirondack Scenic Railroad “Trains depart Utica's restored Union Station for a two-hour journey to the North Pole (Holland Patent) and back. Santa himself will board the train for the return trip to greet all and present a fitting souvenir to each child. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the magic ride and reading of this wonderful holiday classic. Complimentary refreshments right from the pages of the story await passengers on their return to Union Station. Reservations are required.” Source: Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Thendara, New York Dates of Departure: December 2, 3, 4, 5 December 9, 10, 11,12 Departs 4:30pm and 7:00pm Tickets: Adult $21.00 Senior (65+) $19.00 Youth (Age 3-12) $16.00 Ohio Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad “Join Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Carriage Trade for one of our most popular trips. Come along with us to the North Pole as we give our interpretation of the book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas and cookies and hot cocoa are served.” Source: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Cleveland, Ohio Departure Dates: November: Monday 15 - Friday 19 Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 December: Wednesday 01 - Friday 03 Monday 06 - Friday 10 Monday 13 - Friday 17 *All Departures at 7:00 p.m. returning approximately 9:00 p.m. Departures from either INDEPENDENCE or AKRON. Pennsylvania Lycoming County Visitor's Bureau Join the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau for their 4th annual Santa Express Train Rides. Listen to the story of The Polar Express and visit with Santa as he hands out goodie-bags for each child. Source: Lycoming County Visitor's Bureau, Williamsport, PA Departure Dates & Times: Saturday December 11 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, 5PM and 7PM (Pajama Excursion) Sunday December 12 1PM, 3PM, 5PM and 7PM (Pajama Excursion). $9.00 per person Children 2 and under are free Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad This train ride lasts 1 1/2 hrs. and departs at 4:30 p.m. sharp! Climb aboard and listen to the story of The Polar Express as it heads to the North Pole to find Santa. Receive a bell from the reindeer's harness, plus there are cookies and milk for the children. Source: Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad, Middletown, PA Departure Dates: Saturdays 4, 11, 18 December New Hope & Ivyland Railroad Children and adults of all ages are invited to ride this train inspired by the Polar Express. Listen to the famous story, have free hot cocoa and cookies while Santa visits with each child onboard and presents them with a special gift. Trains depart the New Hope Station at 5:00 & 6:30 pm. Reservations suggested. Source: New Hope & Ivyland Railroad New Hope, PA Departure Dates: November: Friday 26 - Sunday 28 December: Thursday 2 - Sunday 5 Thursday 9 - Sunday 12 Thursday 16 - Sunday 19 Thursday 23 Texas Austin Steam Train -Twilight Flyer Hear the story of The Polar Express during this two hour Twilight Flyer Storybook Special train ride. Fares start at $22. Source: Austin Steam Train - Twilight Flyer, Cedar Park, Texas Departure Dates & Times: Dec. 3, 10 and 17 7-9 p.m. Grapevine Vintage Railroad - The Tarantula Train Bring the kids in their "pj's" for the one hour trip and listen to The Polar Express on board. There will be a surprise visit from santa with a gift for each child, followed by the whole train singing carols. For more information call (817)-410-3123. Source: Grapevine Vintage Railroad, Fort Worth, Texas Departure Dates: December Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 Tickets: $12.00 Children and Adults (Age 3 and up) Recommended Reading© Copyright 2003 by ClassBrain.com |
