All aboard: ‘The Polar Express’ train ride brings the wonder of the book, movie to Spencer
Published 12:10 am Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Everyone got to see a performance of Santa Claus giving out the first gift of Christmas when they arrived at the North Pole. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
Santa's elves welcomed passengers when they pulled into the North Pole. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
Some kids couldn't contain their excitement. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
It wouldn't be the holidays without singing a few Christmas carols and "The Polar Express" made sure to squeeze a few songs in during the train ride. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
Kids dressed up as the characters from "The Polar Express" to greet families on the train. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
It wouldn't be a "Polar Express" event without sharing the story of the original book. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
The hot choclate dance performance was a sight to be seen. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
People dressed up as the characters from both "The Polar Express" movie and book. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
Santa Claus had silver bells to give the kids at the very end of "The Polar Express" train ride. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
The NC Transportation Museum uses a diesel locomotive for all of "The Polar Express" train rides. Brad Dountz/Salisbury Post.
SPENCER — “The Polar Express” has captured the imaginations of children everywhere since it was first published as a picture book in 1985 and made into a film in 2004. Now, the North Carolina Transportation Museum is holding its annual tradition of bringing that magic to life.
Between now and Dec. 23, the museum is hosting “The Polar Express” train ride during the weekends. Families can come to the museum to board the real-life express all the way to the North Pole for a chance to meet Santa Claus.
On Nov. 25, the weather was perfectly crisp for a trip to the North Pole. The fun started with people lining up at the Barber Junction Visitor Center to get into their own designated train cars. Each car was uniquely decorated and designed to give the entire train a lavish atmosphere.
After the train arrived and everyone settled in, the conductor walked down the aisles taking tickets. Then, people dressed up in white chef’s hats and jackets performed a synchronized dance while serving deliciously warm hot chocolate.
As kids and their parents enjoyed their sweet beverages, train employees pulled out copies of “The Polar Express” and followed along with the audio book that was playing simultaneously on the speaker system.
During the train ride, kids dressed up as the characters from “The Polar Express” movie, walked from car to car to talk with other kids about what they wanted for Christmas. Families also sang Christmas carols before they finally made it to the North Pole.
As they got off the train, the passengers were welcomed by Santa’s elves to witness a performance of Santa giving out the first gift of Christmas.
The train then made its way to the Candy Cane Lane gift shop, but the enchanting evening was not over quite yet. Santa went through all of the cars to meet with the passengers and to hand out silver bells for all of the kids who believe in him.
For Caroline Stutts and her family, this was the first time they’ve been to “The Polar Express” train ride and it sure did not disappoint. Their favorite part of the show was getting to meet Santa and they plan to come back again soon.
“It was a great experience. I thought everyone on there was really great and welcoming,” Stutts said. “I thought the experience for our kids was very special, it’s something they will never forget.”
