2017 Polar Express, Part Two

Sorry...this is the post that was supposed to publish on Saturday.  But it did not.  And I didn't realize it until Monday morning...Which could only mean one thing.  THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES have officially begun, and I'm so busy LIVING my life I don't have time to WRITE about it...

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I wasn't clear about what this Polar Express event was all about. It takes place in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. And it is put on by a non-profit group called the Midwest Central Railroad. They restore old steam engines, and this is their big fundraiser every year. The event is staffed by dozens of volunteers...and here's the experience.

• You must buy your tickets in advance (it sold out in two days).
• When you get into town, you pick up your tickets at the South Depot -- which is the old railroad depot, at one end of their centrally located city park. 
• Your tickets tell you EXACTLY which train car you will be riding in. (there are five passenger cars)
• Once you board the train, the conductor "punches" your ticket (just like in the movie).
• When the train starts to move -- there is a recorded voice piped into the cars,  telling the story of the "Polar Express".
• The rain goes in a big circle around the park two or three times -- creating the illusion of traveling to the "North Pole"....(the windows are frosted so the children can't see they are going in a big circle).
• When the train pulls into a big long shed at the other end of the park, and everything gets very quiet, and it's cave darkness...
• Then, the voice announces that we have arrived at the North Pole -- and the music starts to play, and all the lights come on, and when the kids get off the train -- there are a dozen different stations and activities for them to do.

I'm glad we got there early --as the anticipation was terrific...and there was lots for the kids to see and do before we boarded the train.

The kids played under the water tanks...

The windows were frosted for a reason....it's all about creating the illusion...

The old passenger car -- with it's original ceiling.

They know EXACTLY how many people will be on each car.

Lilly and I were both so excited.

But nobody on that train was as thrilled as Warren. When the Conductor came down to "punch" his ticket, he held it up like he knew EXACTLY what was going to happen next!!

But he did not know. None of us knew. This event was SPECTACULAR...

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MMWI:  224