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The captivating story comes to life the minute the train departs the Palestine Depot for the journey to the North Pole. (The adventure is even more fun when families and friends show up in their pajamas!)
Enveloped by the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the tale as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Once onboard, chefs serve hot chocolate and cookies as they recite the classic children’s book, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. (Be sure to purchase a book along with your tickets so your child can read his/her own book along with the chefs.)
At the North Pole, Santa and his elves greet passengers and then board the train. St. Nick gives everyone the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell (only believers can hear ringing!). On the ride back to THE POLAR EXPRESS™ train depot, chefs lead passengers in singing joyous Christmas carols.
Make sure to purchase the official THE POLAR EXPRESS™ book for your child when you make your reservations. Gift-wrapped as their first gift of the season, they can read along with the Coco Chefs aboard the magical journey to the North Pole.
All cars have large viewing windows, thrilling children as they get their first glimpse of Santa and the North Pole.
When we meet Santa at the North Pole he will bring us “Silver Bells” but you must Believe! Do you believe?
ADA-Compliant Car Available – Please contact our Reservations Desk directly at 855-632-7729.
A $3.00 Historical Preservation Fee will be added to the individual ticket rate at checkout. This fee goes directly towards, our depots and the railroad and is used to protect, enhance buildings, places and objects of historical and cultural significance.
Seats are limited in the exclusive Presidential Class where keepsake POLAR EXPRESS™ mugs, hot chocolate and cookies make this a truly magical experience. We have two Presidential Class Coaches. Coach 1511 and Coach 42. Please note there is no access to viewing platform during Polar Express train rides on Coach 1511.
In addition, this car is temperature-controlled.
This car is NOT ADA-compliant.
Seats are limited in the exclusive Presidential Class where keepsake POLAR EXPRESS™ mugs, hot chocolate and cookies make this a truly magical experience. We have two Presidential Class Coaches. Coach 1511 and Coach 42.
Booking both COUCHES and TABLES will require separate reservations when booking online.
In addition, this car is temperature-controlled.
This car is NOT ADA-compliant.
For assistance with booking, please call 855-632-7729.
Seats are limited in the exclusive Presidential Class where keepsake POLAR EXPRESS™ mugs, hot chocolate and cookies make this a truly magical experience. We have two Presidential Class Coaches. Coach 1511 and Coach 42.
Booking both COUCHES and TABLES will require separate reservations when booking online.
In addition, this car is temperature-controlled.
This car is NOT ADA-compliant.
For assistance with booking, please call 855-632-7729.
The Dome Class comes complete with keepsake THE POLAR EXPRESS™ mugs, hot chocolate and cookies and awesome views out of the upper deck dome windows.
In addition, this car is temperature-controlled and has a restroom.
This car is NOT ADA-compliant.
Features chairs or booth settings for parties of two or four along with keepsake POLAR EXPRESS™ mugs, hot chocolate and cookies.
In addition, this car is temperature-controlled.
This car is NOT ADA-compliant.
Coach Class has historic Pullman-style seating for two or four (features roll over seat backs). Hot chocolate and cookies are served by dancing Cocoa chefs.
Coach class does NOT include keepsake THE POLAR EXPRESS™ mugs.
In addition, this car is NOT temperature-controlled.
This car is NOT ADA-compliant.
Please see further details in our FAQ section. This car must be booked by calling our reservations desk directly at 855-632-7729.
All POLAR EXPRESS™ train rides depart from Texas State Railroad’s Palestine depot located at 789 Park Road 70, Palestine, TX 75801
All seating is configured in even numbers. To ensure that an odd number of people in your party do sit together, you will need to purchase an even number of seats, meaning 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc.
To ensure that multiple family members or groups are seated together, the reservation should be secured by one person under one confirmation number. If reservations are made separately, there is no guarantee of sitting in the same area.
All tickets include train ride, hot chocolate, and cookies. First-class, Dome and Presidential-class passengers receive a complimentary keepsake THE POLAR EXPRESS™ mug.
Please check-in at least 45 minutes prior to ticketed departure time. Please note, tickets are non-refundable. Missed trains will not be refunded.
BOARDING PASSES MUST BE PICKED UP 15(Fifteen) MINUTES PRIOR TO SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME, any parties attempting to pick up boarding passes less than 15 (Fifteen) minutes prior to scheduled departure time will be scheduled for a new departure time and/or date at Texas State Railroad’s discretion and upon availability. A rescheduling fee may be applicable.
The Boarding Platform CLOSES 10(Ten) MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, no guests will be allowed onto the boarding platform after that time.
Tickets are picked up at the ticket window on the day of departure. (We do not mail tickets in advance.)
CONFIRMATIONS: Please note, when making your reservation you are required to “acknowledge” the understanding that you are riding THE POLAR EXPRESS™ at Texas State Railroad in Palestine, TX.
You will receive a confirmation email from Texas State Railroad [reservations@fulgen.com] after your purchase. We recommend checking your spam folder if you do not receive this email in your inbox.
The round-trip train ride is approximately 60 minutes long.
We cannot ensure that the hot chocolate or cookies presented on the train do not contain ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction. Please call a representative at 855-632-7729 to inquire about food allergy allowances.
The train only can accommodate a limited number of wheelchair patrons per each train departure. Please call a representative at 855-632-7729 to book your tickets for the entire party with a wheelchair passenger.
No. Only Hot Cocoa and cookies will be served on the train. There will be concessions on the grounds at The Palestine Rail Depot. No alcoholic beverages are served at this event.
THE POLAR EXPRESSTM TRAIN RIDE tickets are fully refundable with 14 (Fourteen) day notice. Cancellation and refund requests made within 14 (Fourteen) days of the departure date will NOT be refunded. Due to the massive demand, missed trains for THE POLAR EXPRESSTM TRAIN RIDE may be rescheduled subject to availability. Rescheduling excursions may also be subject to a rescheduling fee. Texas State Railroad will work in good faith to reschedule our customer’s train ride however, seating class of the original purchase cannot be guaranteed and refunds for the difference in seating class will NOT be issued. Texas State Railroad will work, in good faith, with our customers regarding extenuating circumstances. Texas State Railroad can be contacted at 1-855-632-7729.
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Because of special, incidental or consequential situations that may be out of our control, Texas State Railroad reserves the right to adjust our operation between the date of your booking and the day of departure. These changes could include (but not be limited to): locomotive power for the day, passenger car assignments, layover and/or meal time during the four-hour ride and departure and/or arrival times. Thanking you in advance for your consideration.
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