Polar Express

press release: Middleton’s THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride will once again bring holiday cheer to the residents of Wisconsin, offering service to the North Pole beginning Nov. 12, 2016. The magical story comes to life when the train departs from Middleton for a one hour round-trip journey to the North Pole to receive the first gift of Christmas. Guests will be treated to a number of enhancements in the third year of service, most significantly the enjoyment of some of the most iconic passenger cars on the continent for Diamond and First Class service.

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Once onboard, cheerful, dancing chefs serve passengers hot chocolate and cookies while they narrate 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. Chefs aboard each car lead passengers in singing Christmas carols on the ride back to Middleton.  

By special arrangements, four "Skyline" dome cars are being imported from VIA Rail Canada in Montreal and Toronto, Canada, exclusively for use on this year's THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Designed to be toasty warm on even the coldest winter day, these cars are magnificent representations of first-class rail travel from the 1950s. Carefully restored and maintained by VIA's expert craftsman, they are making a rare foray across the border to enhance the experience of Middleton’s customers.

Santa’s elves have also been working on standard class cars, installing new windows and upgrading heating systems so that no one needs to cuddle up to their hot chocolate to stay warm.

The journey begins Nov. 12, 2016 and runs through Dec. 23 on select dates, with departure times at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Exact dates, fares and excursion times are available by visiting www.middletonpolarexpressride.com or calling 855-487-1430. Ticket prices range from $23 to $80 depending on class of service and date of travel. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride.

THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters TM & © 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. (s16)