I Went on the Iconic ‘Polar Categorical’ Practice By way of the Mountains With My Toddler — and Now I Wish to Do It Each 12 months

I’m a bit ashamed to confess that once I arrived on the practice depot in Durango, Colorado, for The Polar Categorical practice experience, I had by no means learn the e-book. I knew it existed and had been become 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, dad and mom 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 appeared to be as shocked 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 evening sky and we each gasped. She screamed “Santa!,” waving her arms wildly, and I felt the prickle of goosebumps. The primary of many I might really feel that evening.

The conductor got here out into the frosty Colorado air and began retelling the long-lasting story, welcoming us all on a journey to the North Pole. The Polar Categorical story continued in our cozy practice automobile, 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 Categorical as clips have been learn over the speaker. Sizzling 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 good 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 discipline, the whole practice automobile broke out right into a frenzy — myself and my daughter included. 

On the return journey to the depot, Santa walked via every practice automobile, 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 automobile 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 baby to listen to Christmas needs and take photographs.

It was the proper finish to a night that had managed to solid a little bit of vacation magic over our whole group. Even I couldn’t deny the magic of The Polar Categorical, a journey and a narrative that may turn into a part of our annual vacation custom.  

Durango’s Polar Categorical practice journey is led by a classic steam locomotive that travels on a heritage narrow-gauge railroad via the snowy mountains of Colorado. The particular Polar Categorical-themed journey is barely out there 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 Categorical season, the practice continues to run, most notably over the mountain passes between Durango and Silverton, Colorado.