‘The Polar Express’ train rides start Nov. 17

TAVARES — Warner Bros.’ The Polar Express Train Ride will launch Nov. 17, soon after regularly scheduled vintage train rides begin, officials from Orlando & Northwestern Railway said this week.

Tickets for the holiday ride start at $38 for regular seats and go as high as $79.50 for the glass-enclosed dome coach on the hourlong excursion, during which riders will travel to the “North Pole” and meet Santa in the interactive experience.

“This is going to be Central Florida’s newest premier holiday event — there’s no question about that,” said Michael Brown, special events manager for Orlando & Northwestern Railway.

Meanwhile, railway officials are hurrying to start running yearround train rides, part of The Royal Palm Railway Experience, out of Tavares by next month.

“It’s no small deal to try … and bring all of this together when you have seven to 10 passenger cars coming towards you and they’re in different parts of the United States,” said Neil Bagaus, spokesman for the Orlando & Northwestern Railway, which is operating the rides. “It takes a lot of coordination with the railroads to bring them here.”

This week, he was busy remodeling the interior of the city’s oldtimey train station, built several years ago for $540,000. The station previously was leased to the operator of the Orange Blossom Cannonball, which closed in January this year after the train track’s owner didn’t renew its contract.

The 110-year-old steam-powered tourist train — and its backup, a 1941 diesel engine called the Lake Dora Limited — operated for more than five years.

The Cannonball was a prop on the big screen for years and was dubbed “The Movie Train.” It was featured in, among others, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” with George Clooney and “3:10 to Yuma” with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.

After the Cannonball’s last run, City Administrator John Drury vowed to find another train. It didn’t take long: By April, he had an offer from the Orlando & Northwestern Railway and City Council members authorized staff to negotiate a contract for use of the train station.

The parties sealed the deal last month, paving the way for the return of the familiar train whistle to Tavares. The new operator is gearing up for the resumption of trains.

“We are building new ticket windows … [and] a replica of the old desk where the depot agent would have sat,” said Bagaus, adding that an old-fashioned telephone and telegraph also will be installed.

The Polar Express ride, meanwhile will feature LED lighting synced with activities onboard, such as the singing of Christmas carols, while en route.

Tickets are free for children under 2, and kids are encouraged to wear pajamas, like in the children’s book and 2004 Warner Bros. movie, while on the train.

According to the train’s website, OrlandoThePolarExpressRide.com, “You should feel like you’ve just stepped off the pages.”

Bagaus aims to offer specialevent trains with more adult appeal, including one that will include performances at the historic State Theatre in Eustis, in addition to kid-friendly trains, such as the