PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — For a trip to the North Pole, there’s no finer way to travel than on board The Polar Express.
Railroads around the country offer seasonal trips to see Santa between Thanksgiving and Christmas, including the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum. (See Utah and other nearby opportunities under Resources below the photo gallery.)
The festively decorated train offers passengers hot chocolate and cookies and a reading of “The Polar Express” during its one-mile journey along Casco Bay.
Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved story of one young boy’s magical winter journey won the Caldecott Medal in 1986.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Children keep an eye out for Santa Claus as the Polar Express begins its journey to the "North Pole" on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Friday. The popular train ride, based on the well-known children's book, has rides scheduled throughout the holiday season. Passengers ride about a mile and a half along Casco Bay on the Eastern Promenade to the North Pole.Portland, Maine, Nov. 27, 2015 | AP Photo by Robert F. Bukaty, St. George News Alex Cotrell plays the role of the dancing chef after delivering hot chocolate to passengers on board the Polar Express on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Friday. Chefs also read the story of the Polar Express and led the singing of Christmas carols as the train travels to the "North Pole." Portland, Maine, Nov. 27, 2015 | AP Photo by Robert F. Bukaty, St. George News Conductor Brian Durham prepares to board the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad's Polar Express train, Friday. The historic equipment, which operates on rails set two feet apart, was used from the 1870s until the 1940s. Portland, Maine, Nov. 27, 2015 | AP Photo by Robert F. Bukaty, St. George News A family watches as steam shoots out from the locomotive as the Polar Express starts a journey on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Friday. The railroad company's mission is to educate the public and preserve historic equipment related to the state's historic two-foot gauge railways. Portland, Maine, Nov. 27, 2015 | AP Photo by Robert F. Bukaty, St. George News Engineer Joe Monty oils the moving parts of a steam locomotive used by the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad for its annual runs of the Polar Express, Friday. The popular train ride, based on the well-known children's book, has rides scheduled throughout the holiday season. Passengers ride about a mile and a half along Casco Bay on the Eastern Promenade to the North Pole. Portland, Maine, Nov. 27, 2015 | AP Photo by Robert F. Bukaty, St. George News Steams shoots out from a 1913 steam locomotive as the Polar Express begins it's journey to the "North Pole" on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Friday. The popular train ride, based on the well-known children's book, has rides scheduled throughout the holiday season. Passengers ride about a mile and a half along Casco Bay on the Eastern Promenade to the North Pole. Portland, Maine, Nov. 27, 2015 | AP Photo by Robert F. Bukaty, St. George News Heber Valley Railroad, North Pole Express 2015 | Flyer from website, St. George News
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Resources – Polar Express opportunities in Utah and nearby states
- Heber Valley Railroad’s North Pole Express 2015
- Stringtown Railroad in Lindon
- Nevada Northern Railway’s Polar Express in Ely, Nevada
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado
- Grand Canyon Railway, Polar Express, Williams, Arizona
Know of others? Email us:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews