Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Few of FR's Finest.Every Day.12-22 to 25-06..Polar Express - Christmas Weekend
December 22, 2006 | Dolly Howard

Posted on 12/22/2006 7:42:47 AM PST by 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”




TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christmas; polarexpress; santa; trains
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 381-400401-420421-440 ... 541-552 next last
To: LUV W

P.S. Thanks for using your ornament! :) Merry, merry, Luvbo!


401 posted on 12/25/2006 12:03:26 PM PST by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 326 | View Replies]

To: Billie

I am very proud of it. It's beautiful. You give such wonderful gifts!


402 posted on 12/25/2006 12:05:38 PM PST by luvie (We didn't lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 401 | View Replies]

To: Purple Mountains Maj

Oh, I love that darling little girl! Saved! Thanks, Maj!


403 posted on 12/25/2006 12:05:50 PM PST by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 340 | View Replies]

To: Billie
I found the prob. The dimensions should be ....339X233. They show here on the thread at 3239X233.

Bad girl. LOL

404 posted on 12/25/2006 12:08:15 PM PST by ST.LOUIE1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 359 | View Replies]

To: ST.LOUIE1; Billie; silent_jonny; Aquamarine; TPartyType; .30Carbine; All

I'll be back asap to post more & take the time to answer pings...
I'm in need of a computer/HTML rest...
& I'm so famished I gots ta eat me a lil sompin'sompin'afor Ieeez faint!
I love to miss spell for comedic effect cane Ya tell!
Hope it doesn't drive Ya nuts...LOL!


405 posted on 12/25/2006 12:11:05 PM PST by Majie Purple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 386 | View Replies]

To: All

I am SO sorry about Post #388! YIKES! I messed up the width of that graphic big time! I asked mod to delete it. Hope someone is working today. :)


406 posted on 12/25/2006 12:13:28 PM PST by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Diver Dave
Thanks for that Christmas greeting Billie. Merry Christmas from the dd family to you and yours.

You are most welcome, Dave, you know how much you mean to us. Hope you are feeling better before the day is over - bet the smiles on the boys' faces will perk you right up. :)

407 posted on 12/25/2006 12:20:36 PM PST by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 371 | View Replies]

To: ST.LOUIE1

I've been busy working on my cooking plan...Am having a new house built, with all new appliances that hopefully will work right. House hopefully will be finished by the end of Jan.

Smarter than the average Bear Huh!


408 posted on 12/25/2006 12:21:03 PM PST by DaBearOne (she is always with us)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 364 | View Replies]

To: ST.LOUIE1; All
Er.....I'd like to know what you posted here. It spreads way across the page. Kinda like mine did. LOL

I don't remember what I posted, but thank goodness the mod took care of it as soon as I wrote. :)

Once again, Merry Christmas to all. I am gone!

409 posted on 12/25/2006 12:23:34 PM PST by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 394 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl

Thank You Ma'am! Just got in & I want to offer you also very warm Christmas greetings.

It is now raining here... but it is still mild, so shall NOT complain! (would it do any good to complain anyway?)


410 posted on 12/25/2006 12:26:09 PM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 380 | View Replies]

To: ST.LOUIE1

Oh that is a REAL Hoot! Hehehehehe.. Thank you ! (have any chippendale santas?) NO, not the chipmunks!

Yes, did very well in the loot dept.. a certain gent from Chicago way is treating me much to nicely..trying to impress me I think..and know what? IT IS WORKING!

Hope your day went well..

Thanks for all the clever graphics. Did you make most of them? I can tell some for sure .


411 posted on 12/25/2006 12:28:42 PM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 342 | View Replies]

To: Purple Mountains Maj
As usual you are find the best "stuff" to share with us all..

thank you!

Are you with your brother this weekend? Know you miss him. I surely miss my brother.. we are very close but NOT close geographically unfortunately!
412 posted on 12/25/2006 12:31:35 PM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 351 | View Replies]

To: DaBearOne

Nice to have fresh new things.. YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS & THOUGHTS Bernie..

I appreciated your FReepmail.... HUGS


413 posted on 12/25/2006 12:32:43 PM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 408 | View Replies]

To: DaBearOne
My, my, you are a busy beaver, Ooooops! I mean, bear. Hope everything goes according to plan.

Smarter than the average Bear Huh!

You betcha!

Now I know two above average bears. MamaBear being the other.: )

BTW, when you learn to bake cookies you do know you have to share them with the Finest? : )

414 posted on 12/25/2006 12:33:31 PM PST by ST.LOUIE1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 408 | View Replies]

To: Billie

That is beautiful Billie.. you have shared some great graphics this weekend! Always fun to see your creative beauty.. it is a flow of feminity & softness..


415 posted on 12/25/2006 12:35:00 PM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 315 | View Replies]

To: Billie
I don't remember what I posted,

Thanks.

416 posted on 12/25/2006 12:35:33 PM PST by ST.LOUIE1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 409 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali
Oh that is a REAL Hoot! Hehehehehe.. Thank you !
(have any chippendale santas?) NO, not the chipmunks!

NO! LOL

Yes, did very well in the loot dept.. a certain gent from Chicago way is treating me much to nicely..trying to impress me I think..and know what? IT IS WORKING!

Wonderful!!!!! Sounds like you made out like a bandit!

Hope your day went well.

Very well, thanks.

Thanks for all the clever graphics. Did you make most of them? I can tell some for sure .

WRONG! Well, I did put Majie's name on the lamp. LOL

417 posted on 12/25/2006 12:41:30 PM PST by ST.LOUIE1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 411 | View Replies]

To: Purple Mountains Maj

Beautiful, Majie! : )


418 posted on 12/25/2006 12:42:56 PM PST by ST.LOUIE1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 355 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali

Thank you again, Dolly. I really, really need to get away from here now! Hugs, dear sistah!


419 posted on 12/25/2006 12:44:17 PM PST by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 415 | View Replies]

To: ST.LOUIE1; Billie; MEG33; snugs; lysie
Louie, thought this & 365 / 366 might have been yours. I know you do the gif(or are they called flash?) ones also.

I still haven't started to learn that.

well, need to cook dinner for mom, feed the cats/dogs & unwind.. busy day

Went with my friend to her dads asst living home(plush).. for his 97th birthday. Skin looks like a man of 40..sharp as a tack & still walks well.. Took my dogs in to visit the residents after Mass..Decided to take Josy back out as she is much to rambunctious & strong (not to mention NOT TRAINED).and I was afraid she would hurt someone.

We did long outdoor dog walk in national park IN THE RAIN & had Chinese together. WE have been friends since we were 12 (that is a LONG time ago!)
420 posted on 12/25/2006 12:48:06 PM PST by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 368 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 381-400401-420421-440 ... 541-552 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson