polarexpress

éxperience

“Christmas isn’t a season.

It’s a feeling.”

– Edna Ferber

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Take a Ride on the Polar Express

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éxperience

Photo Courtesy of Grand Canyon Railway NOVEMBER thru DECEMBER 2010

Take a Ride on the

Polar Express WRITTEN BY Kathryn van Roosendaal

25 Years of Magic The magic began in 1985.

That year the holiday book shelves included a children’s picture book called The Polar Express

by Chris Van Allsburg. The flowing artwork and lyric prose brought to life a boy’s journey of faith that resonated with children and adults across the country.

Since then The Polar Express has won numerous awards, including the Caldecott Medal and New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year. It has been reprinted in numerous editions – this year a special 25th Anniversary Edition hits the stores – and it has been made into a major motion picture.

One reason for the book’s longevity is it’s timeless artwork that places the story in the 1950s or the 2000s or anywhere in between. The other is the story itself: Who hasn’t wanted to believe – really, truly believe – in more than what we see before us?

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of his book, Van Allsburg released the following note: As children we did not grow up steadily, one day at a time. Occasionally, we would leap forward.

Getting separated from our mother in the supermarket and—holding panic at bay—finding her on our own, could make us instantly feel a year older. It is the same way we felt when we rode off alone on a bicycle for the first time.

I looked through my window and saw a train standing perfectly still in front of my house. … A conductor stood at the open door of one of the cars. He took a large pocket watch from his vest, then looked up at my window. I put on my slippers and robe. I tiptoed downstairs and out the door.

“All aboard,” the conductor cried out. I ran up to him.

“Well,” he said, “are you coming?”

“Where?” I asked.

“Why, to the North Pole of course,” was his answer.

“This is the Polar Express.”

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or 25 years, Chris Van Allsburg’s classic tale of The Polar Express has delighted children and their parents during the holiday season. What child hasn’t dreamed of climbing the steps to that magical train in a robe and slippers and sharing a fantastic ride with other Believers?

That dream can come true. The Polar Express won’t stop at your front door, but you can still sit on a train car in your pajamas and slippers and sip hot chocolate while the steam engine pulls you to meet Santa. Historic trains from across the Southwest transform into the Polar Express every holiday season, offering children of all ages a chance for an epic adventure. woman

While most of these experiences left me exhilarated, there was one leap forward that produced less welcome emotions. When I was eight years old I began to consider the possibility that Santa Claus was not real. Embracing this suspicion made me feel grown up, very suddenly and also very unhappily. Leaving behind a belief in Santa meant I would never again experience the enchantment that accompanied the days leading up to Christmas. The exquisite, almost unbearable anticipation of a fairy tale coming to life, a fairy tale that included me, would be gone forever.

This didn’t feel like growing up, this felt like losing something—like being thrown out of the land of miracles and hearing the gates close behind me.

I wanted back in. Fortunately, the Polar Express pulled up to my house that Christmas, taking me on a trip that did lead me back. There is a seat on the train for you.

All aboard!

Chris Van Allsburg

Photos courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Books

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Arizona On September 17, 1901, the first passengers arrived at the south rim of the Grand Canyon aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. Passengers today can take the same trip on carefully restored rail lines and train cars, enjoying the awe-inspiring beauty of northern Arizona starting at Williams, Arizona, and traveling into Grand Canyon National Park.

Most of the year the train ride features authentic western characters to bring the Old West to life.

At Christmas time, though, cowboys are replaced with elves and Santa Claus becomes the conductor for a Polar Express ride to the “North Pole.�

Grand Canyon Railway www.thetrain.com 1-800-THE-TRAIN Rides start at the Williams Depot 233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd.

Williams, AZ Polar Express rides begin November 12, 2010.

The train leaves Williams, Arizona, at 6:30 p.m., with a second ride most nights beginning at 8:00 p.m. Call or book online.

Photo Courtesy of Grand Canyon Railway

Nevada The Nevada Northern Railway Company was incorporated in 1905 to transport ore from the mines in northern Nevada to the smelting plants.

Today, the freight house in East Ely, Nevada, has been painstakingly restored to its 1907 appearance and has become the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum.

Diesel- and steam-powered trains still run along the old mining routes through the rugged mountains of Nevada from East Ely east toward Keystone, Nevada, or north and west toward Adverse, Nevada. And for the holidays, the ride becomes a winter wonderland where families can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while riding the Polar Express with Santa.

Nevada Northern Railways www.nevadanorthernrailway.net 1-866-40STEAM Rides start at the East Ely Railroad Depot 1100 Avenue A Ely, Nevada The Polar Express rides begin the Friday after Thanksgiving. Times and dates vary. Call or book online.

Photo Courtesy of Nevada Northern Railway

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NOVEMBER thru DECEMBER 2010

New Mexico “The Santa Fe”, as it is affectionately known, has run from Santa Fe to Lamy, New Mexico, since 1880. The depot maintains its vintage California Mission-style architecture and the working freight trains still carry passengers and cargo through the scenic high desert.

During December, passengers on The Santa Fe can enjoy a cozy ride in their pajamas while listening to a reading of “The Polar Express” during the Story Book Train Ride. Or they can sing carols with a live musician while Santa passes out gifts on the Santa Hotshot Train. For a longer trip, take the Santa Lamy Day Train and spend some time in an Old West town dressed in holiday splendor.

Santa Fe Southern Railway www.thetraininsantafe.com 888-989-8600 Rides start at the Santa Fe Depot 410 S. Guadalupe Street Santa Fe, NM Holiday rides begin December 12, 2010, and run throughout the month. Call or book online.

Photo by Jim Heidenberger

Utah The Heber Valley Historic Railroad has run the line through Utah’s Provo Canyon since 1899. In those days it carried supplies and passengers to the pioneers who first settled the valley. Now it runs as a non-profit that carries thousands of passengers per year in vintage coaches past mountain lakes and forested hills.

When ice and snow blanket the valley, the trains dress up in holiday style for the North Pole Express. Sit and wonder at the scenery or sing carols as elves serve hot chocolate. And don’t forget the visit from Santa, who climbs into each coach to hear children’s Christmas wishes.

Heber Valley Railroad www.hebervalleyrr.org 800-888-TIXX or 435-654-5601 Rides start at the Heber City Depot 450 South 600 West Heber City, UT The North Pole Express runs from November 20, 2010, through Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Call or book online.

Photo Courtesy of Heber Valley Railroad

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