As dusk settled over Carson City and temperatures dropped, children excitedly clutching tickets and families donned in pajamas and coats recently arrived at the Virginia & Truckee Railway’s Eastgate Depot for its annual Polar Express train ride. 

Since 2011, the V&T Railway has paired its historic train rides with the story of The Polar Express, transforming its depot and train into a moving stage inspired by the beloved children’s picture book. The event draws families from across Northern Nevada every holiday season. 

Once aboard, servers moved through narrow aisles singing, dancing, and bringing hot chocolate (“as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars”) and cookies to passengers. 

The hourlong nighttime ride carried families from the depot to the bright lights of the North Pole. As the train slowed to a stop, kids pressed themselves against the windows to get a look at the colorful lights and elves dressed in colorful red and green costumes.

Santa Claus boarded the train and walked through each car greeting the children, posing for photos and handing out little bells from Santa’s sleigh. 

The Polar Express quickly sells out when tickets go on sale in September. The V&T Railway operates the experience for 25 nights during the holiday season, carrying more than 16,000 passengers on average. 

With ridership growing every year, the railway added another car to the train last year. The annual economic impact of the train is estimated to be around $1 million.