The Polar Express comes to Waterloo
WATERLOO — Take a train ride aboard the famous Polar Express.
Waterloo Central Railway museum has been licensed through Warner Bros. to offer trips to the North Pole (Elmira) aboard its steam and diesel locomotives.
“We’re the only Polar Express in all of Eastern Canada,” said Randy Bird, interim CEO with the railway museum.
It took about six months for the organization to get the licence to operate the express train made famous by the popular children’s book and subsequent motion picture, “The Polar Express.”
The story, by author Chris Van Allsburg, is about a boy who takes a Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole where he receives a special gift from Santa.
The first of many Waterloo Polar Express trains will leave St. Jacobs Village Station on Friday, Nov. 17, with a capacity for 300 passengers.
Once aboard, ticket holders — who are encouraged to wear their pyjamas for the ride — will relive the magical holiday story with music from the movie soundtrack and a reading of the book accompanied by hot chocolate and cookies.
When they reach the North Pole, Santa will visit and give each child the first gift of Christmas — a silver sleigh bell.
And on the ride back to St. Jacob’s, passengers can join-in on carols.
“This will be, probably, the most memorable thing kids will do this winter at Christmastime,” said Bird.
“The music and theatrics and dance just bring it all together. And to have it happen in a live, moving train is a pretty unique experience.”
The train rides — each a one-hour roundtrip — will operate on Friday and Saturday evenings, from Nov. 17 to Dec. 23. There are three trains departing every evening.
The Polar Express will be offered in addition to the museum’s traditional daytime Santa Trains.
Ticket prices for The Polar Express vary depending on date and class of service, but admission for children between the age of two and 11, starts at $49.99 and adult prices start at $59.99.
For ticket purchases and train schedules visit waterloocentralrailway.com.