I Went on the Iconic ‘Polar Specific’ Practice By way of the Mountains With My Toddler — and Now I Wish to Do It Each Yr

I’m a little bit ashamed to confess that after I arrived on the practice depot in Durango, Colorado, for The Polar Specific practice experience, I had by no means learn the e book. I knew it existed and had been became a film, however I used to be oblivious to the magic everybody on the station appeared to really feel. Children sporting Christmas pajamas jumped up and down in anticipation, mother and father took photographs, and everybody was speaking about the journey to come back — a journey that might take us to the North Pole.

As we waited on the platform for the practice to reach, my 3-year-old daughter clutched her golden ticket and took within the scene. She gave the impression to be as stunned and overwhelmed as I used to be. It was a sense that dissipated because the classic steam practice rounded the bend. A shroud of steam shot into the darkish night time sky and we each gasped. She screamed “Santa!,” waving her arms wildly, and I felt the prickle of goosebumps. The primary of many I’d really feel that night time.

The conductor got here out into the frosty Colorado air and began retelling the enduring story, welcoming us all on a journey to the North Pole. The Polar Specific story continued in our cozy practice automotive, which was outfitted with lights and vacation decor. Our in-car cooks danced up and down the aisle to vacation music, performing out scenes from The Polar Specific as clips have been learn over the speaker. Scorching chocolate and cookies have been delivered as we pulled out of the station and began our journey north up the valley, which is sandwiched by the nice San Juan Mountains. 

After round half-hour, “the North Pole” got here into view. Home windows opened and everybody craned to see the magical village of lights and dancing elves. And when Mr. and Mrs. Claus have been noticed in a snowy area, your complete practice automotive broke out right into a frenzy — myself and my daughter included. 

On the return journey to the depot, Santa walked by means of every practice automotive, delivering a single silver bell to every visitor; “the primary reward of Christmas.” When it was our flip to welcome Santa, everybody within the practice automotive fell silent, watching quietly and calmly as Santa gave a tiny bell to every passenger.

Upon our return to downtown Durango and the practice depot, everybody filed into the adjoining railroad museum the place Santa took time with every youngster to listen to Christmas needs and take photographs.

It was the right finish to a night that had managed to forged a little bit of vacation magic over our complete group. Even I couldn’t deny the magic of The Polar Specific, a journey and a narrative that can turn into a part of our annual vacation custom.  

Durango’s Polar Specific practice journey is led by a classic steam locomotive that travels on a heritage narrow-gauge railroad by means of the snowy mountains of Colorado. The particular Polar Specific-themed journey is simply obtainable till Jan. 4, 2025, with charges beginning at $39 for adults (and children ages 12+) and $29 for youngsters ages 2–11. 

Following the top of the Polar Specific season, the practice continues to run, most notably over the mountain passes between Durango and Silverton, Colorado.