NORTH PALM BEACH LIFE
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polar express 2019

Children's Christmas Classic Comes to Life on Brightline Again

 BY GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
November 24, 2019


For the second year in a row, Brightline has brought back The Polar Express Train Ride. This year, it's been expanded to include both Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Cate, age 7, who made her first trip to the North Pole last year, was eager to go back and experience all the magic again. So were we.

Join Cate as we get onboard The Polar Express Train.


      Photos/Audio by North Palm Beach Life
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Listen to Pam's and Cate's Podcast

If You Go

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More at Brightline Website
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While waiting for the train, kids can practice their Christmas arts and crafts in the Brightline lounge, plus write and mail a letter to Santa, courtesy of the Museum of Discovery and
Science at Ft. Lauderdale.
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All aboard! The conductor and the hero boy greet
​ Cate as we prepare to leave on the Polar Express.
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The coaches are decked out in their finest Christmas best.
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Cate gets her Golden Ticked stamped. What does it mean?
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The genial conductor keeps us time, until there's a "thud" on the roof. What could that be?
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Dancing waiters do a rousing "Hot Chocolate" song and dance before guests are served refreshments -- "warm" hot chocolate and a snickerdoodle.
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Attendants punch away, creating a rainstorm of Golden Ticket confetti on us.
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The self-proclaimed owner of the Polar Express asks, "Do you believe?"

 Attendants pass through the coach with oversize editions of "The Polar Express," authored by Chris Van Allsburg in 1985. It has since become a Christmas classic. As the book was narrated over the sound system, Cate and others got to turn the pages. 
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That "thud" on the top of the train was Santa's arrival. Just like the hero boy, all of us got silver bells to commemorate our journey.
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Don't look so surprised, Santa -- I really have been a good boy this year. Honest!



​Cate holds her silver bell close as she
and Santa have a private conversation.
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The conductor and Cate share a moment.


Cate leads the reindeer parade as we all sing along to "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with everyone
​ shaking their silver bells.,
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​Back home, Cate wants Santa to know she is keeping her silver bell close, as a reminder that no matter your age, all you have to do is believe.

We think Santa approves!
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Contact us: [email protected]

© COPYRIGHT  2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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  • Home
    • Weather >
      • Hurricane Readiness
  • Cruise/Travel
    • Cruise Reviews and Stories
    • Victory I Great Lakes Cruise
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi's Wine Shelf
    • Gigi in the 561 Interviews
    • Cora
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
    • Travel Bistro
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
  • Video
  • Explore
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Traveling With Joe >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
      • Yellowstone Camping Tales
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
  • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search