A Few of FR's Finest.Every Day.12-22 to 25-06..Polar Express - Christmas Weekend

December 22, 2006 | Dolly Howard

[DollyCali]

[DollyCali]

Elves are a very important part of the Polar Express. Each car has 5 & they wander around the car all evening adding fun & spontaneity. They serve cookies, hot cocoa along the way as well as offer elf dust, read the stories, carry banners, lead in sing along (on way BACK from North Pole). Also on the return Santa goes thru the train & stops with each child for pix & to get the last minute requests for Christmas. Mrs. Santa also is there to visit with family friends.

Elf Larry was the ringleader of fun & laughter and other elfes here were enthusiastic & endearing. This is a representative crew from CAR 3; Akron Run, December 19, 2006. One of these Elves is also a FReeper. Wheelbarrow has been an elf volunteer for 3 years now & at 81 this WW2 vet adds spirit & fun to the crew.

Elf Larry is applying angel dust to one of the riders. The magic train cannot depart until all have some angel dust applied. Not every rider however WANTS angel dust!

Elves come in all sizes & all ages. Here is a married couple that volunteers yearly.

Pretty young elves add zest to the evening

The “bell” is a significant part of the Polar Express Story

Each car has a “reader elf”. The book is available for sale in the one car that is the concession/snack bar car.

Here Elf Linda puts on nametags at start of ride

Some elves are also Park Rangers. Here is Cindy.

[DollyCali]

Some of the Passengers

Cameras are abundant on the trains! Here a mom passenger (neat jammies?) and her daughter are all smiles as they “shoot away”

Four generations of beautiful women shared the ride this night. Shown are Vera Kovacs (86); Carol Kovacs (64); Daphne Leon(41); and Sydney Leon (3)

[I still care]

I wanted so much to see this on IMAX this year, but I am in NY for the season and all the local Imax screens seem to be carrying Happy Feet instead. My friend saw this in 3D and says it was one of the most incredible movie experiences of her life.

[DollyCali]

Following are some shots from the engine car as we made our way south (to the NORTH Pole)..the sunset was gorgeous. Locals might recognize some of the sites.

Above and below the “Station Road Bridge Area”. This is about 1 mile from my home

The Interstate 271 Bridge which spans the Cuyahoga Valley. Currently under construction.

[DollyCali]

More pix to come later. My good buddy Murphy has assisted tremendously in this "effort". Check in throughout the four day week-end for additonal pix from the event

[mylife]

Where is the snow? ;0)

[DollyCali]

ah elusive snow... the difficulty with polar express in places OTHER than the North Pole..often no snow & like our weather here been balmy!

I volunteered as an Elf for several years before the demands of care-giving made it difficult, but I recall well my very first night.. about a week prior to Thanksgiving & we had a blizzard! I was wondering if I would spend the night in the train roundhouse as the roads to my house are "rough" in bad weather.

The kids were delighted and the NORTH POLE (ala Peninsula) was beautiful

[mylife]

I'll bet its gorgeous when the countryside is covered in snow.

NE Ohio snowless at Christmas, who'd of thunk it?
Dang Al Gore and his global warming ;0)

[DollyCali]

One thing you learn quickly..,The Engineer(man who drives the train) is NOT in charge. It is the Conductor!

The first leg of trip to North Pole I rode with Tony Hart, our Conductor. I rode in the front engine for the first hour to the stop to pick up the “elves” at Botzum Station. Shown below are Engineer Chad Crim(left), who was a volunteer since 1988 & on staff since 94. He grew up in Penisnula (the North Pole) and still has a passion for trains., saying the thrill is always there Also shown are Vern Davis & Mike Frastaci who are assistant engineers.

Above is the Conductor Tony Hart who has volunteered with the train for 5 years.

Above is brakeman Dan Krol. He and his wife have been volunteers for many years & do both elf & brakeman work as needed.

Above is CVSR Marketing Co-=oordinator Nicole. She handles many of the Train events including the Polar Express & the popular Wine Trains. She was on one of the trains handling the concession/gift shop area.

Smiling faced volunteers do MANY things on the train.. ~ most are behind the scenes but necessary.

Above are some of the crew/staff on the train:
(top) Joe Dorsey, Jim Roszak, Brian Kelly, Greg Szucs
(front) Charles Allen, Gary Spencer; Mary Spencer; Tony Hart

Above & below are Conductor Brian Kelly who is on staff & moved from WV where he did similar work on the Scenic Rail Road there.

[DollyCali]

I would love to see this on Imax also. ALmost anything is great on it. I recall seing Patriot Games on it (first non-documentary flick I saw via IMAX).. I was "hooked"

[DollyCali]

[ConorMacNessa]

Great thread and Pledge, Dolly!

[ConorMacNessa]

HAPPY FRIDAY TO THE FINEST!

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Wearing Red to support our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan!

[DollyCali]

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you dear ["DollyCali"]:}}}}, pleas pray for "Kayak".
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[ConorMacNessa]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE FINEST!

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May the Blessings of the Christmas Season Fall on You and Yours!

[anonymoussierra]

I'm sorry pleas=please

[anonymoussierra]

I'm sorry pleas=please