Entertainment
Gef Takes a Ride on the Polar Express!
We met all sorts of characters along the way!
A modern classic is brought to life on the island’s railways this year with The Polar Express™ Train Ride and wow, what a ride it is.
Arriving at Douglas train station to families in their best PJs conversing with a hobo and hero boy, no amount of rain, which the Manx weather did its best to provide, was going to dampen this day.
From the moment the conductor welcomes everyone aboard, the show takes you on a whirlwind adventure that has all the charm of the Tom Hanks film and the majesty and that is steam railway.
Shortly after leaving Douglas, heading south for the North Pole (Christmas works that way) the children are soon asked the famous question from the conductor, whether any passengers are in need of refreshment.
The cries of ‘yes!’ from the children led to the chefs dancing their way along the carriages while ‘hot chocolate’ from the film played out throughout before pouring said beverage and gifting each child a cookie. Even as someone who is not a massive fan of hot chocolate, it was hard not to get swept along with the whole show and enjoy it in the wonderful mugs given to each passenger.
As the train reached Port Soderick, something was in the way (fans of the film will know what this was), but it didn’t stop the train for long as soon we were back on our way to the North Pole, which looked surprisingly like Santon.
As we approached the Pole, the chefs guided the children through a dramatic reading of the Polar Express book, which was beyond charming in its own way.
Arriving at the North Pole, the big man was on hand to greet the children before climbing aboard and spending the return journey talking to all the boys and girls and giving them the first gift of Christmas, which you have to believe to hear.
As the Polar Express chugged its way back towards Douglas, there was no question that everyone had enjoyed themselves and with one final surprise waiting for them back at the station, the whole trip was brilliant from start to finish and a real credit to both the railway staff and the characters onboard.
Keep up with the latest goings on on the island’s railways by following its Facebook page:
