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”

[La Enchiladita]

Thanks, Louie, for my very own dazzling Christmas card.
(Neener, neener to the rest of the gals... hahaha)

How is everything over your way this blessed day? And, you're right, no coal... this year *wink*.

[onyx]

I was sorta kidding, but maybe I will cut it in half! Thanks!

[Majie Purple]

You are so welcome! & Something told me You might like that pic...
I doubt that that lil one could give You a hug in that get up. ( No arm bendage action, LOL!... so here's one from me.
CHRISTmas Hug!

[La Enchiladita]

Ring them bells!!!

(Another ping for you at #331...:^)

[La Enchiladita]

Okay, here's what ya do, onyx.

When it's done rare the way you like it, take it out, cut it in half, put the other half back in 'til it's well done.

Keep your half warm, then you can eat together when all is done.

Signed,
Abby

[onyx]

LOL! That's precisely what I have decided to do! Thanks!!!

[GodBlessUSA]

I'm going backwards in my pings. LOL Dita I'm a Gracie and didn't even see this. I'd like to blame the cold but you know me. ;)

That is so nice to have been able to watch an interview with 2 married soldiers. I've been thinking of our heroes so much today.

My son just called to tell me he was on his way home and I heard them singing Happy Birthday. :) My mother always has a cake for Jesus. :)

[lonestar]

I like those puppies.

Weinie

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Christmas Hug to You Maj :)
I hope you are enjoying the day. Hubby and I have colds. I had a real bad head and chest cold and had to try to sleep on the couch last night. It seems to be fading already, I'm happy to say. All in all it's been a nice day.

[firewalk]

Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

This is great (:
Merry Christmas

[ST.LOUIE1]

[firewalk]

Merry Christmas ST.

[La Enchiladita]

So nice to see the Rus family all together there in a portrait, Mr. Mayor. What a joyous day!!

[ST.LOUIE1]

And, you're right, no coal... this year *wink*.

I got coal AND sticks. : (

[luvie]

Hope you got some neat "stuff". I sure did! Some I asked for and some surprises.

:D

[Majie Purple]

[La Enchiladita]

And to you, FReeper extraordinaire...!!

[La Enchiladita]

Someone's in the kitchen with Bernie
Someone's in the kitchen, I know-oh-oh-oh
Someone's in the kitchen with Bernie,
strummin' on the ol' banjo. And singin'..

Fee fi fiddle eye oh
Fee fi fiddle eye oh oh
Fee fi fiddle eye oh
Stummin' on the ol' banjo!

How's the steak? Yummy?

[La Enchiladita]

Merry Christmas,...(((fatima)))...!!!

Hello, girlfriend!!