Aubreigh Hammond, 6, raises her hands in joy while riding the Polar Express on Saturday, November 23. The train ride, which runs from November 16 to December 28, leaves from Palestine and takes families on a magical journey to the North Pole. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Pajama-clad children board The Polar Express in Palestine for a magical journey to the North Pole on Saturday. Once on board, Coca Chefs serve cookies and hot chocolate while bringing to life Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book The Polar Express.

At the North Pole, Santa Claus and his elves greet children and board the train for the ride back to the train depot. During the trip back children receive their first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell, which is said only “believers” can hear.

The festive ride, which began on November 16 and will run through December 28, offers several seating options including Presidential, Upper Dome, First Class, Deluxe Coach, Open Air Coach and Coach. All tickets include train ride, hot chocolate and sugar cookies with all passengers receiving the silver sleigh bell. First-Class, Dome and Presidential-class passengers receive a complimentary keepsake Polar Express mug.

According to Texas State Railroad Marketing Director Jennifer Price Dickson, families travel from all over the United States and even come from out-of-the-country to experience the approximately 60-minute round-trip train ride. “An annual average of 1% Texas State Railroad The Polar Express™ ticket sales are from a combination of other countries and states, with Mexico and Louisiana, respectfully, holding the highest percentage of this sample. In 2018, we had one family from South Africa” she said.

By the end of December, the Texas State Railroad will have seen more than 60,000 passengers come through Palestine for the train ride to the North Pole.

When asked what made the ride so special, Dickson replied “The Polar Express™ is a live reenactment of the classic Christmas movie children want to watch over and over again with dancing cocoa chefs passing out hot cocoa and cookies, the conductor punching everyone’s golden train ticket and Christmas carols being sang.  It’s about going to the North Pole to pick up Santa and having him visit with all the children, delivering the shiny silver sleigh bell, that can only be heard if you believe! All in all, it’s about keeping the spirit of Christmas alive in each of our hearts!”

For more information or to make a reservation call 1-855-632-7729 or email info@texasstaterailroad.net.