All Aboard the Polar Express

Chris Van Allsburg's book comes to life in Williams, Arizona

Oct 5, 2009

Make this holiday season one the family will never forget. Give them a train ride to the 'North Pole' to visit Santa aboard the Polar Express.

Every year during the holiday season, Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona brings the pages of Chris Van Allsburg's classic children's story about believing in Santa Claus to life, with a magical train trip to the North Pole.

Departing from the Williams, Arizona train station, these popular trips are available this year from November 13, 2009 through January 9, 2010 (excluding Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day).

Riding the Rails in Vintage Style

Families gather on the historic platform waiting to board a 1950s vintage locomotive in the crisp night air. The Williams Depot opened to the public in 1908 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Children are encouraged to dress in their pajamas like the children do in the book, and after the excitement of this special evening journey, it won't take them very long to be ready for bed. Once aboard the cozy train cars with comfortable bench seating, families are welcomed by porters and service attendants who are also dressed like the characters in the book.

Hot Chocolate, Fresh Cookies Served

While making the journey to the North Pole, passengers are treated to a special reading of the book, along with tasty hot chocolate and fresh cookies. Everyone receives a songbook with the words to popular Christmas carols for a group sing-along. Photographs are encouraged. It's a good idea to bring a copy of the book along even though the attendants walk up and down the aisles with a large version of the book for all of the passengers to view the pictures and follow the story.

Children Receive a Special Gift from Santa

Upon arrival at the North Pole, children are greeted by Santa and his reindeer. Half the fun is watching those eager little faces of anticipation pressed against the window, watching Santa board the train. For the return trip to the Williams station, Santa makes his way through every car, meeting every child and gives each one with a special gift, a jingle bell, symbolizing their belief in him, and the belief in the spirit of the season. This memorable trip will make believers out of everyone, young and young at heart.

New Christmas Eve Trip Available This Year

This year Grand Canyon Railway has added the Christmas Eve Limited, an opportunity to ride the Polar Expres on Christmas Eve, on the very same night the story takes place in the book. Passengers of the special departure will receive extra special gifts from Santa, including a commemorative bell.

The Polar Express leaves the Williams Depot at 6:30 p.m., with additional 8 p.m. trips available on select evenings. Because of the popularity of these trips, now is the time to check availablity and make reservations.

The Polar Express schedule can be viewed at Grand Canyon Railway's official website, www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5779.html

Tickets are $29 for adults (ages 16 and older) and $14 for children (ages 2-15) November and January weekends; $19 for children in December, except for Christmas Eve. Tickets for the Christmas EveLimited are $58 for adults, $38 for children.

Special Polar Express packages are available starting at $304 and include the Polar Express train trip, one night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, dinner and breakfast at the hotel's restaurant for a family of four (two adults and two children).

Williams, Arizona is located in the northern part of the state, about 30 miles west of Flagstaff, just off Interstate 40, at an elevation of 5,000 feet. From Interstate 40, take Exit 163 (Grand Canyon Boulevard), a half mile south to the historic Williams Depot.

Grand Canyon trip discounts for Polar Express customersGrand Canyon Railway also makes regular trips to the Grand Canyon National Park. Polar Express customers receive a discount on their train trips to the Grand Canyon from November 14, 2009 through February 28, 2010 (excluding Nov. 26-20 and Feb. 14 and 15)

The copyright of the article All Aboard the Polar Express in Arizona Travel is owned by JoAnn Smith. Permission to republish All Aboard the Polar Express in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.