Christmas joy on display with Polar Express

Dec. 25—CUMBERLAND — "All aboard for the Polar Express!" the conductor bellows as children scream with delight.

The smiles were ear-to-ear aboard the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad as moms, dads and grandparents took their children to see Santa Claus at his North Pole stomping grounds.

During a Tuesday run of the wildly successful Polar Express, which has been delighting thousands of children as well as adults this holiday season, the mood was festive to say the least.

If you think it's a mellow, pleasant jaunt to Santa's North Pole workshop, think again. The sold-out train cars are filled with children who marvel at the young acrobatic train attendants as they dance, sing, deliver hot chocolate and tell stories.

With up to four scheduled trips per day through Christmas Eve, the Polar Express departs from the Western Maryland Railway Station in Cumberland or the Frostburg Depot. Our excursion boarded at 5:30 p.m.

The train is decked out in full Christmas decor with wrapped gift boxes lining the luggage racks.

Beth Kolb, with her mother Charlotte Saunders and aunt Debra Stubna, took her three children on the ride: Kenzie, 7; Madison, 5; and Levi, 2. They came from Accident to ride the train.

"I hope Santa brings presents with him tonight," Kenzie said as the train approached the North Pole.

Madison was asked what she wanted for Christmas, "I want a four-wheeler, a doll baby and roller skates."

Kenzie was asked if she would be able to sleep Christmas Eve. She said, "Barely, maybe."

Madison got up and danced with attendant Chloe Haggerty, a 15-year-old sophomore from Mountain Ridge High School. Haggerty's high energy hosting, as well as the lively Christmas music from the "Polar Express" movie, captured everyone's attention.

"We had a couple of rehearsals. But the dances, that is all my own stuff," Haggerty said. "The hot chocolate (song and service) is scripted but that was the only thing that really is."

The daughter of Tara and Chad Haggerty of Westernport, Chloe saw a post on Facebook asking for attendants. "I love to see the kids' faces light up when they actually get on the train and see Santa and everything," she said.

A highlight of the ride is Chloe dancing with the kids.

"Usually I'll be walking around and I see one kid that really wants to dance," she said. "So I'll ask them and then that gets everyone else, too. A couple of the rides I've had all of the kids up dancing in the isle at once and it's just so fun."

The Polar Express high point is when the train reaches the North Pole and Santa boards.

"Many of the kids, and the parents, say that Santa does a great job," Chloe said. "They will even ask Santa how a certain elf is doing by name. Santa goes along with it and they think it's the real Santa."

Mark and Lisa Kephart of DuBois, Pennsylvania, took daughters Juliet, 8, and Emma, 4, for the ride. Juliet said her favorite part of the trip was "seeing Santa" and she wants roller skates for Christmas. Emma said she liked seeing all the wrapped presents on the luggage racks.

The Polar Express excursion travels about 30-40 minutes before it comes to Santa's North Pole workshop, which is viewed from the window. Once the train passes Santa's village, it returns to its station. The total ride is about an hour and 20 minutes.

The excursion is based on the 2004 movie featuring the voices of Tom Hanks, the conductor, and Cumberland native Eddie Deezen, who portrays Jimmy Pinchak, the know-it-all kid who's part of the Christmas Eve trip aboard the magical train headed to the North Pole.

"We are looking at 40,000 riders for our Polar Express season," Wes Heinz, WMSR CEO, said. "By end of the year we will have about 72,000 to 75,000 total ridership."

"It's a beautiful way to see families come together," Heinz said. "Growing up I had these things to go back to that were with family and friends: A Christmas dinner, or you go to church, decorating, singing carols. I like (that) we are able to add to the tradition and create new memories for families."

Greg Larry is a reporter at the Cumberland Times-News. To reach him, call 304-639-4951, email glarry@times-news.com and follow him on Twitter @GregLarryCTN.