THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at Cape Cod Central Railroad

The Cape Cod Central Railroad runs THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride from its Buzzards Bay station as a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by what the operator calls a merry-making cast. The conductor punches every passenger's golden ticket, dancing chefs and waiters bring the story to life in the train car, and passengers enjoy a reading of the book with hot chocolate and Walker's Shortbread cookies.

When the train reaches the North Pole, Santa and his elves step aboard to greet passengers and give each child a keepsake sleigh bell, the first gift of Christmas, and every passenger takes home a souvenir golden ticket.

The operator sells Standard, First, Deluxe and Premium classes, in a mix of double-decker railcars, single-level cars and a dome car, and asks passengers to wear Christmas pajamas.

About 1½ hours: golden ticket punched by the conductor, a reading of the book, hot chocolate and shortbread, a visit from Santa and his elves with a keepsake sleigh bell and a souvenir golden ticket. Christmas pajamas are encouraged. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure.

Departs from Buzzards Bay station, 70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The operator asks passengers to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure to allow time for parking and ticket pick-up; the train cannot wait for late passengers. Tickets are non-refundable, and the operator asks that rescheduling requests reach its reservations office at least four days before the trip. Standard Class cars cannot accommodate wheelchairs because passengers use stairs; First Class cars can accommodate a limited number of wheelchairs. Lap infants under two need an "Adult with Lap Child" option. Reservations: 888-797-7245.