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”

[DollyCali]

Thank you for the darling pup % kitty! Hope your day was most excellent!

[Majie Purple]

Though I haven't used /reposted my Billie made ornament...Tis on my P P for all visiters to see!

[Majie Purple]

Re: My ornaments gif gift back to You...You are very welcome.
I fpond a pink frame & found all those ornaments seperatly and placed them in the frame together.
The purple one is my siggy!
;oD

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you, devolve, for the Charlie Brown sparkler and Christmas music.

Merry Christmas!

[GodBlessUSA]

[Majie Purple]

Oh I love Your darlin little comment! Saved in my memory. Thanks Billie!

[onyx]

Merry Christmas GODBlessUSA and everyone!

I have a prime rib in the oven, but he likes it well done and I like rare. What to do?

[La Enchiladita]

Hi Billie. Hope your Christmas day is coming along nicely. The purple Christmas card is exquisite ... and yes I share your prayer that God will bless Our Troops and keep them safe.

Christmas Mass was lovely this morning and I enjoyed the one-mile walk home too. It's more like a warm autumn day here in SoCal than a winter day. And oh so Peaceful... ahhh.....

[La Enchiladita]

I just got a message from my friend down South a while ago. The family is in the process of frosting the cake and youngest son is writing "Happy Birthday Jesus" across the top.

;^)

[onyx]

LOL-LOL-LOL!

Merry Christmas LJ!!!!

[Majie Purple]

Thank you for Your compliment Dolly!
& to answer the am I with Bro portion.
Nope. Not this year but He & Fam came Here to spend Christmas time with me!
T'was wonderful!
I am still on cloud 9 re: CHRISTmas 2005 visit!
& then add to that a June 2005 visit to their home.
we live far apart but are very close in heart.
Thanks for asking.

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL! Make it medium to well ;) ?

[onyx]

I am thinking of cutting it in half.....lol

[GodBlessUSA]

That's great Dita!

[Majie Purple]

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

Awww...Thanks for the addition on mine!

[La Enchiladita]

I went to Christmas Mass and then opened some presents, ate a little bit and now I'm here.

;^)

[GodBlessUSA]

Actually, That's a good idea, Onyx. My hubby and I would have to do that. He likes rare, while I like it well done. It's usually closer to well done when I cook it. ;)

[La Enchiladita]

Conor, this Mother and Child is surpassingly beautiful... I love classic, iconic religious art.

Thank you and Merry Joyous Christ Mass.

[GodBlessUSA]

Beautiful Conor
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Thanks so much Maj!
This is adorable :)