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

Listen to Pam's and Cate's Podcast

If You Go

More at Brightline Website

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.

All aboard! The conductor and the hero boy greet
​ Cate as we prepare to leave on the Polar Express.

The coaches are decked out in their finest Christmas best.

Cate gets her Golden Ticked stamped. What does it mean?

The genial conductor keeps us time, until there's a "thud" on the roof. What could that be?

Dancing waiters do a rousing "Hot Chocolate" song and dance before guests are served refreshments -- "warm" hot chocolate and a snickerdoodle.

Attendants punch away, creating a rainstorm of Golden Ticket confetti on us.

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. 

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.

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.

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.,

​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!