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

December 22, 2006 | Dolly Howard

[DollyCali]

The magical train ride found in the Book and the Movie are the backdrop to the glorious adventure held nightly for 5 weeks in NE Ohio as part of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway (CVSR) offerings leading up to Christmas .

The story in a nutshell: A little boy, Jammie clad in jammies(FReeper material ) doubting Santa’s existence any longer, is whisked away one night on a magical train, that picks him up AT HIS HOME & takes him to the North pole where he views the magic of Santa, the elves and the life there. It is a short book with wonderful art work & was released in 1985.

At the Ohio Polar Express, this is captured in the several hour ride that parents & kids alike arrive in Jammies to participate in the fun. Thanks to the Polar express we now have a new dress category to add to Business casual etc. There will be Nighttime Jammies perhaps!

So very much goes on behind the scenes. For the ride of several hours for youngsters in wonderment along with their parents and grandparents, there is an amazing amount of ground work that is done. Professionals and volunteers all work together to make this a memorable part of the participating family holiday experiences. Many US cities have similar programs, we feel fortunate to be one of them.

Do you just decide THAT day, hey, lets go for the train ride tonight? Well, no NOT EXACTLY. The ride is sold out in late Summer and tickets chosen by lottery. There are actually two trains that converge in the North Pole. One begins in Akron heading North & the other begins in Independence heading south. They arrive at the N Pole about 15 minutes apart to gaze out the window at the merriment of Santa’s workshop, all the elves dancing (town folks, who have caught the spirit, Santa on sleigh, drummer boys, reindeer etc.

The deluxe Saint Lucie train car.which goes out each night is a luxury charter smf is sold out for next 3 years.. To say this activity is “in demand” is perhaps an understatement. This popular train, which runs in part through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park holds several other Christmas related series of Rides Mr. Jingeling's Holiday Express and Christmas Tree Adventure (train to neaby Peninsula & pick out /buy tree, return

In the story Polar express (as viewed in the movie) Director Robert Zemeckis revolutionized the art of animated film in 1998's WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT by dropping cartoon characters into the same frame with flesh-and-blood actors. In THE POLAR EXPRESS, live action and animation have merged seamlessly, resulting in sparkling super-realism. A landmark technique Zemeckis and his Sony Pictures Imageworks team call "Performance Capture" perfectly suits the tenor of this wondrous children's Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg

A disillusioned little boy, just old enough to doubt the existence of Santa Claus, has the adventure of a lifetime one fateful Christmas Eve. Clad in his pajamas, he climbs aboard a magic train to the North Pole, driven by a kindly train conductor (voiced by Tom Hanks who starred in both of Zemeckis's Academy-Award winning films FORREST GUMP and CASTAWAY). Among myriad jaw-dropping moments, the train plummets brakeless through crystalline mountains in a simulated roller coaster ride. Going off the rails, skidding sideways, and snaking violently across a frozen lake, the train arrives at the North Pole (a vast, glowing city of brick buildings)

At that moment, the car carrying the kids detaches and they're sent tumbling down never-ending chutes and slides until they land in the middle of Santa's Workshop.

In the body of the thread are pictures/commentary from the last regular “run” of the season. Try to check back regularly for new additions. Your are invited to join in the “magic”

[ST.LOUIE1]

Happy Christmas, sweet ((((((Sis)))))

[Billie]

Beautiful scene, Lauren.

[Billie]

My Christmas card to all my FRiends here at the Finest: a poem I wrote when I was a brand new Christian. (It was published locally!)

That is wonderful! Bet it was neat to see it published, Carbine.

I'm on a little 'break' from Christmas Dinner preparations and wanted to answer some pings.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Maggie will be with you, Bear. : )
Wishing you the best. Hope you learn how to cook. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hope your Christmas is a great one, GeeBee! : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Have a wonderful day, Noosie! : )

[Majie Purple]

Merry Christmas to You & Your Fam CMac!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Merry Christmas, Finest ladies. : )

[Billie]

I also now see new treasures one re Jesus' Birthday & one You made for Louie!! Both of those gif gifts are specific & special & re:2 specific & special people!!

Thank you, Maj. I'm seeing all your sweet gif(t)s and enjoying them. You are special, too, and thoughtful and kind to acknowledge each post the way you do.

[Billie]

Thank you for the LOVELY ornament billie!

Thank you for liking it and using it. :)

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for that Christmas greeting Billie.

Merry Christmas from the dd family to you and yours.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hope Santy has been good to you, Deets.
No coal in the the ol' sock for you, I bet. . : )

[Billie]

It has been so enjoyable to see people's talents shared openly here.. some are graphic artist's extrodianaire.. soma are HTML wizards, some are both (Billie & Lori).. some are poets... some have the gift of sharing soulful thought.. for all to read & grow by and some just have loving & joyful spirits which we surely need in this world.

Big Hugs, Dolly, for the kind words and for making everyone smile with your posts and pictures and stuff!

[Diver Dave]

Won't be able to extend greetings to each and every one.

Bad time to be under the weather but did want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and hope y'all are enjoying Our Savior's Birthday.

[Billie]

I love this! Someone's looking for Santa up that chimney. :)

[ST.LOUIE1]

Merry Christmas to you! ! : )

[Billie]

Thanks Billie and a Merry Christmas to you too.

Hugs to my favorite owl, and you are welcome - wanted you to know I was thinking of you, and thought the puppies were so cute. :)

[Billie]

Lovely sentiments and graphics, Dita! Have a blessed day!

[Billie]

Great-looking family, Rus. Merry Christmas to all of you!

[Biggirl]

Merry Christmas to all on this thread!