THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride — Monticello Railway Museum

The Monticello Railway Museum presents THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride on Friday-to-Sunday weekends of the holiday season. The museum describes a round-trip journey to the North Pole of approximately an hour from the historic Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello, Illinois, with the story read along the way. The ride boards at the Wabash Depot, not at the museum's main site.

Passengers meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot chocolate, surprises, a treat and a special gift. The museum sells Coach, Special Coach (with a Polar Express hot chocolate mug) and Deluxe seating (private tables in restored dining cars), plus private-car spaces for larger parties.

A round trip of approximately one hour from the Wabash Depot: passengers read along with the story on the way to the North Pole, enjoy caroling, hot chocolate, surprises and a treat, and meet Santa, who boards at the North Pole and gives each child a sleigh bell on the return trip. Every passenger gets a special gift, as the museum describes it. Passengers of all ages are encouraged to wear pajamas.

The Polar Express boards at the Wabash Depot, 200 E. Livingston St., Monticello, IL 61856 — not at the museum's main site at 992 Iron Horse Place. Anyone over 2 needs a ticket; children under 2 may ride on an adult's lap or have their own ticket. Classes: Coach, Special Coach, Deluxe (sold per table of four) and private-car spaces. Tickets are sold online only, not by phone or in person; for ticket problems the museum asks for an email to tickets@mrym.org rather than a phone call.