Popular around the country, The Polar Express train ride returns to Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire for 2023

Join the enthusiastic cast in telling the story whilst singing along with your favourite characters from the hit film. All passengers are encouraged to join in the fun by attending in your PJ’s (Don’t forget your dressing gown in case its cold at the North Pole!).

Check out our review of The Polar Express train ride experience from 2022.

The Polar Express Train Ride Review

It’s hard to know where to start with this experience. It was amazing and one of the best things I have been to for Christmas over the years.

My girls are 8 and 11 and we have watched the Polar Express just a couple of times but they were caught up in the magic as soon as we arrived.

Dressed in their pyjamas and Mrs Claus costume with their golden ticket in their hand we sat waiting in a beautifully decorated Marquee at the station. Christmas music and the film was showing on screens around the room.

Each carriage was called to make their way to the platform. We lined up in the dark and told to watch out for the flashing green light along the track as this would signal the train was coming.

The traditional steam train pulling into the station all lit up with the staff/character leaning out of the windows waving truly was a magical start of the train ride.

Once on board we were seated in our section for 4 with a table. My daughter was on a gluten free diet which I had made a note of when booking and I was very impressed that two members for staff came to check on this and then brought over a very special gluten free cookie to have later.

As the train set off the staff started to sing and dance along the aisles, acting out parts from the film, running up and down making sure everyone on the carriage could see. The staff were really enthusiastic and engaged with us plenty of times on the journey.

We got given a cup of hot chocolate and the rest of us got our cookie to enjoy while some more music was played.

We finally arrived at the North Pole, it was dark on our journey as we booked the 6.15pm slot so when we arrived at the North Pole station we could see it was decorated with Christmas lights and Father Christmas was standing on the platform ready to get on board.

Father Christmas then went along each party on the train, talking with the children and families, asking what they would like for Christmas and about themselves. Everyone got a good amount of time and we didn’t feel rushed. We could take photos and then Father Christmas gave us all a special bell which signifies the first give of Christmas.

On our return journey the conductor came along the train and asked for your tickets. He then very carefully used his ticket punch to punch your initial into the ticket just like on the film. The staff then read out some more of the story from the original book which they hold up so everyone can see. We paid extra to also have a copy of the story book and my daughter enjoyed reading along with it.

The whole experience took about 90 minutes and as we arrived back at our station we felt it had been a wonderful evening and our girls had really enjoyed it and were totally wrapped up with the magic of it all.