Re: Ok Polar Express

bill ramaley Wrote:
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> Although I have never seen any other Polar Express
> than the one here at the DSNGRR, it is hard for me
> to imagine a better ride anywhere. This is our
> third year of it.
> We start out with the kids (and adults) all
> held in the depot until the train is ready. The
> doors to the platform open and everyone pours out,
> but there is no train in sight. Then, the train
> whistle is heard, faintly, as off in the distance.
> Slowly the locomotive pulls out from behind the
> carshop, coming around the track into view,
> shrouded in a cloud of steam.
> "Chefs" pile off of the cars, which are
> decorated with Christmas lights and other
> decorations. There are two chefs for each of the
> 9 or so cars. With delight, everyone finds their
> car and piles in. Snow surrounds the train as it
> pulls out of the yards on its way to the North
> Pole. On the way, the blast of the steam whistle
> penetrates the night and the passengers in cars at
> the crossings are treated to a rare sight
> On the north edge of Durango, the train goes
> through a tunnel of lights and comes into the
> North Pole. Santa and his elves are there, waving
> from a snowy knoll. They come down to greet the
> train and walk alongside it until they board, just
> behind the locomotive (which is either a K-28 or
> 36, depending on what was used on the Cascade
> Express run that day). As soon as Santa is on,
> the loco cuts off and the train heads back to
> Durango, now pulled by a diesel. (There is no way
> to simply back a train through all the road
> crossings.) Chefs are handing out hot chocolate
> and eats, while singing carols and making a congo
> line snaking through the train. Also, the "chefs"
> work up the kids, so that as Santa opens each car
> door, he is greeted by a steady chant of "Santa,
> Santa, Santa." Santa is now going through the
> cars, handing out silver reindeer bells to all who
> "truly believe" and having his photo taken by
> wildly enthusiastic parents and assorted
> relatives. (We actually use two Santas, one was
> hidden at the North Pole and gets on the other end
> of the train. Both work toward the concession
> car, which is in the middle.)
> By the time we get back to Durango, Santa has
> gotten through the train. The kids have spilled
> hot chocolate all over the aisles, there are Rice
> Krispie squares strewn about. But all have a
> great time, as Santa and his elves are spirited
> over to the concession building, invisible.
> The train pulls around behind the carshop,
> there to hide until the next trip.
> Santa and his elves wait in the concession
> building until the next train has left. Then they
> are driven to the North Pole, to greet the next
> train and repeat the whole routine.
> It is great fun. I've been Santa a number of
> times and enjoyed everyone. We currently are
> running three trains a night. The last gets back
> to Durango about 9, but the kids are not tired.
> Santa is.
> I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy
> New Year.
> Bill Ramaley

Wow That Sounds AMAZING!!!