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USA: Northeast, Santa Trains and Holiday Lights 2009.572NHHoboExpress Storybook travel is pure fun and during the winter months traditional “Santa Trains,” make enjoying Christmas even better. From New Hampshire and Vermont to Maine and New York pretend journeys to the North Pole are more fun than ever. At many stations the family holiday tradition has a new twist provided by the heartwarming film version of Chris Van Allsburg’s book, The Polar Express. Featured below you will find our favorite train excursions for families. All aboard!
 
This is the good stuff. Just imaging whisking the kids off to the North Pole, it can be done in more than a dozen ways and as many places. It’s not all about meeting the guy in the red suit, from animated displays and enchanting costumes to festive singing and holiday treats, the seasonal excursions add a lively dimension to any outing. Costumed storytellers convey the message of the season; best of all the rhythm and energy of the train moving down the track is a sure thing.
 
New Hampshire: Lincoln, The Hobo Railway - All Aboard the Ho-Ho-Hobo Express (11/27/2009 – 12/20/2009). During the holiday season ride the Santa Train with the jolly old elf himself on a rail run from Hobo Junction; Santa will have a gift for each child and there will be hot cocoa and cookies for sale. The tickets are available by lottery. The Hobo Railway also runs the Polar Express sponsored by Believe in Books. The Polar Express departs each December and heads to the North Pole from the center of North Conway Village, as well as from downtown Lincoln, both in the north country of New Hampshire. The family adventure begins with a wonderful evening train ride accompanied by storytelling elves, and of course, Santa himself! This journey provides a unique rendition of the children's book. To set the scene PJs are encouraged. Bonus points: When not running the Santa Trains or the very popular Polar Express excursions, The Hobo Railway offers other family friendly excursions. A unique specialty offered on most trains is the Hobo Picnic Lunch which includes a choice of sandwich, on a bulky bun, bag of chips, beverage, giant cookie and souvenir "Hobo Bindle Stick". (The Hobo Railway Express. Lincoln, 1 (603) 745-2135, www.hoborr.com or www.santatrains.com)

Vermont: Burlington, Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation – Ride the  Polar Express (12/12/2009 – 12/13/2009). This year, the Vermont’s Children’s Trust Foundation will run eight Polar Express trains. Conductors greet the passengers as they board and once the journey is underway hot chocolate and cookies are served by on-board chefs while the conductors lead a Christmas sing-along. Once at the “North Pole,” passengers will disembark and enter Union Station, where an actor (posing as the author of the Polar Express) will read the story aloud and ring a “magical” sleigh bell to let Santa know it’s time for the show. Santa will arrive and gather all the children and distribute sleigh bells from his reindeer’s harnesses. Discovery: All passengers are asked to donate a new or gently used children’s book to Santa’s sack to be delivered to children on Christmas Eve by the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation – helping to spread the holiday cheer to everyone. (Union Station, Burlington, VT. 1(802) 951-8604 or www.vtchildrenstrust.org)

Maine: Portland, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad – Jump on Board the Polar Express (11/27/2009 – 12/23/2009). Come aboard and read along with the story as the train makes a magical roundtrip journey to the wintery wonderland of the North Pole, where activity and craft booths are sure to make the experience a holiday treat for all. Other activities include a meet-and-greet with the Polar Express conductor, holiday caroling, hot chocolate and treats. Discovery: Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas, just like the protagonists of The Polar Express. (Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, 58 Fore St., Portland 04101. 1(207) 828-0814 or www.mngrr.org)572NYAdirondackSantaExpress

New York: Utica, Adirondack Scenic Railroad – Ride the Polar Express (11/21/2009 – 12/19/2009). It’s “all abroad” for holiday merriment as the train makes a magical roundtrip journey to the wintery wonderland of the North Pole. Activities include a Santa meet-and-greet on the train, holiday caroling, hot chocolate and treats. For those who truly believe in the jolly old elf there might even be a special gift waiting for them on the return journey. Bonus points: Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas, just like the protagonists of The Polar Express. (Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Utica, NY. 1-800-819-2291 or www.adirondackrr.com)

About the book, The Polar Express. On Christmas Eve, a boy boards the mysterious train bound for the North Pole. During the story Santa gives the boy a bell from the harness of the reindeer. On the way home, the bell is lost but in the morning the boy finds the bell under the tree. While his mother thinks the bell is broken, he knows it is not but only true believers can hear the sound of the bell. The book received the prestigious Caldecott Award.  More great reads by Van Allsburg. Other delightful stories include Two Bad Ants, Ben’s Dream, and The Wreck of the Zephyr and Jumanji which became a movie starring Robin Williams. More details at www.polarexpress.com and www.chrisvanallsburg.com
 
Content researched and updated by FamilyTravelFiles.com and images provided by Hobo Express and Adirondack Scenic Railralway. Copyright 2009.

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