THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride — California State Railroad Museum

The California State Railroad Museum Foundation runs THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride from the Central Pacific Passenger Station on the Old Sacramento waterfront. The operator says the evening begins in the passenger station, where guests are entertained by characters from the story, before boarding the train to the North Pole.

On board, passengers enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat from the museum's hot chocolate chefs. At the North Pole, Santa himself comes aboard to give each passenger the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell. The ride lasts approximately one hour, with a pre-boarding stage show starting 35 minutes before departure.

The train consists of seven separate cars pulled by vintage locomotives from the museum's collection. Seating is in coach, an enclosed gondola called the Sleigh Ride Car (sold by the table of four), or first class, which includes a collectible souvenir mug. First class cars include a dining car, a lounge car and an observation car.

The operator notes that the experience has loud portions (a train horn, bells and short bursts of strobe lights) and offers sensory accommodations, including free sensory bags and a social narrative guide to download before the visit.

A stage show with characters from the story in the passenger station starts 35 minutes before departure. The ride lasts approximately one hour, with hot chocolate and a sweet treat served by the museum's chefs, and Santa boards at the North Pole to give each passenger a silver sleigh bell. The operator warns of loud portions (train horn, ringing bells) and short bursts of strobe lights, and offers free sensory bags at the ticketing office.

Departures are from the Central Pacific Passenger Station, 930 Front Street, on the Old Sacramento Waterfront. The operator suggests arriving at least an hour before departure to allow for parking and walking to the station, and says departure times are exact: missed trains cannot be taken later and are not refunded. On-street metered parking in Old Sacramento is limited to 90 minutes and rarely available, so the operator recommends the public lots, the nearest and most reasonably priced being on I Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, under Interstate 5. Tickets are delivered digitally one week before the date. Children under two do not need a ticket if they ride on an adult's lap. All sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges, and resale for profit is prohibited. The train is not fully accessible because of narrow doorways and steep stepwells; the crew assists with boarding, but wheelchairs and other oversize devices cannot be taken on the trip. Notify the event crew before boarding. The museum and event activities are otherwise accessible.