The Polar Express Train

THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN. Chehalis, WA. Have you bought your tickets yet? TICKETS, please! They are going FAST! Prayers for no storms this year! Last year: flooding, road closures, cancelled tickets, homes underwater, it was not pretty. It was unsafe for our family to drive that far with threats of flash flooding in the area. We sadly missed it last year. The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum was kind enough to refund our tickets, as I’m sure they did for many people last year.

The last time we went was about seven years ago and it was fantastic! We picked the 4:30 PM spot. It was still light out when we boarded and just reaching dusk by the time we saw The North Pole and the end of the line before traveling back to the station. The steam train, historic Baldwin 2-8-2 “Mikado,” was magnificent to look at from the outside and watch the steam float into the crisp air. Currently, the Chehalis-Centralia is powered by diesel #6, which I did not know before booking this year’s coveted Polar Express adventure. If you’d like to learn more about the AMAZING #15, lovingly referred to as ‘Ol 15, click here. I believe they are raising funds to get it up and running again, what. a. beauty. Ol 15 is!

They had waiters up and down the aisle with stacked hot cocoa on a tray while dancing. Other things included: brief storybook, Santa visiting, The North Pole stop, holiday decor, cookies, drinks and not to forget the magical ticket! The conductor came along and made holes in each of them just like the movie, The Polar Express. They offered very nice souvenir mugs to take home, along with a silver bell. *I did not see the souvenir mugs offered this year on the website. We may bring ours from last time as they were babies and won’t remember. Ha!

*Update: I do see the mugs for purchase online at the Gift Shop for $12.99.

Originally, the table seating was set at first class and the rest, I want to say, were benches. Currently everyone has the tables that seat 4 unless you booked a Parlor, etc., which SOLD OUT before I even got to consider it. When they say tickets go on sale at midnight on September 1st, it means set your alarm and be ready! Apparently, you couldn’t even get on the site for 20 minutes at midnight! It’s now September 2nd, and tickets are almost sold out for regular seats this year, yes, that is right, especially for prime time 4:30 PM for people who would not travel in the dark.

Parking is free. Arrive at least 30 minutes early, wear your PJs or at least a warm coat!

You’re just getting used to the idea of summer ending and loathing the idea of pumpkin spice flavors all up in your face. Sorry, it’s here, just like the moms who buy up all the Halloween and Christmas PJ’s the minute they are released and before you can say ‘September’. So. Frustrating.

If you’re thinking you’d like to go this year, don’t delay! There are some left for the later slots and early November. Good luck, procrastinators!

*Children age 2 and under ride free on an adult’s lap

• • • Fridays: December 4, 11, and 18 — 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
    • Saturdays & Sundays: November 14–15, 21–22, 28–29; December 5–6, 12–13, 19–20 — 2:00, 4:30, and 7:00 p.m.

• Duration:
  75-minute round trip to the North Pole.
• Location: Excursions depart from the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum, 1101 S.W. Sylvenus St., Chehalis.
• Tickets:  $69 per person (everyone ages 3 and older needs a ticket; tots age 2 and under ride free on an adult’s lap).