THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at Catskill Mountain Railroad

The Catskill Mountain Railroad runs THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride from its Westbrook Lane Station in the Kingston Plaza in Kingston, New York. The operator describes it as a re-creation of the classic children's story on board a real train: passengers are served hot chocolate and cookies by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the book by Chris Van Allsburg, and receive a silver sleigh bell, the first gift of Christmas, after Santa boards the train at the North Pole.

Attendants lead passengers in caroling and holiday activities on the return trip to the station. Seating is assigned at online checkout, and the operator prices departures as peak or off-peak depending on demand. A special Hudson car with trained staff is available for passengers with autism, hearing impairments and other needs.

The whole experience is roughly an hour and a half, of which the train ride is just over an hour: hot chocolate and cookies from dancing chefs, a reading of the book, Santa boarding at the North Pole with a silver sleigh bell, and caroling on the way back. There are no restrooms on board; portable restrooms are at the station.

Westbrook Lane Station, 55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston, New York. Arrive about 45 minutes before departure; boarding begins about 20 minutes before. Parking is free in the Kingston Plaza lot beside the station. Reservations are good only for the chosen excursion and are non-refundable. The station and train are wheelchair accessible with limited wheelchair seating and no accessible restrooms on board; the operator asks passengers with disabilities to call reservations at 845-332-4854 rather than book online. No alcohol is permitted. Cookies contain no nuts but may come from a facility that processes nuts; the hot chocolate contains dairy.