Relive magic of the story aboard The Polar Express
The Galveston Railroad Museum will be delivering riders on The Polar Express Train Ride to the North Pole beginning Nov. 15.
Passengers will have the opportunity to relive the magic of the story as they’re whisked away on The Polar Express experience with multiple dates slated through Dec. 29. All dates for these rides are currently sold out.
This is such a popular event that 30,000 tickets were sold in eight hours, a record for an inaugural launch in the franchise. Tickets for next year’s event will go on sale July 1, 2020. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride. James Rosengren, executive director, Galveston Railroad Museum, said visitors will ride a mile of track for the theatrical recreation on Harborside Drive. The magical story comes to life when the train departs the museum for a 60-minute round-trip journey to the North Pole.
“This is a theater production on a rolling train,” said Rosengren. “It’s a tremendous theatrical team with historic railcars. That part is really exciting. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Once on board, hot chocolate and treats are served as passengers read along with the classic children’s book , The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole and then board the train, where each child is given the first gift of Christmas — a silver sleigh bell.
Attendants aboard each car lead passengers in singing Christmas carols on the ride back to the Galveston’s historic depot.
In addition to the scheduled performances, the Galveston Railroad Museum is also devoting a train ride to families with children with sensory difficulties on Dec. 13. This is also sold out.
Exact dates, fares and excursion times are available by calling 320-244-0213, or by visiting www.galvestonrrmuseum.org/polar-express. Ticket prices per person range from $27 to $75, depending on date and class of service.