Polar Express® returns Nov. 13

Special train to run through Jan. 9

WILLIAMS - Tickets are now available for the Grand Canyon Railway's® presentation of The Polar Express running Nov. 13-Jan. 9. The GCR will also offer a Christmas Eve Polar Express and will increase capacity compared to previous years.

Most evenings, the GCR offers two trains, with one departing the Williams Depot at 6:30 p.m. and a second train departing at 8 p.m. Presentations on weekends and nights close to Christmas typically sell out.

Closely following The Polar Express book by Chris Van Allsburg, this nighttime trip from the Grand Canyon Railway depot in Williams through 12 miles of wilderness to the "North Pole" features a special reading of The Polar Express while passengers enjoy hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.

After arriving at the "North Pole" - a Christmas light village featuring an "Aurora Borealis" - Santa Claus and his reindeer welcome passengers before Santa boards the Polar Express for the return trip to Williams. Santa makes his way through the historic Pullman passenger cars, greeting every child and presenting each one with a special gift - a jingle bell signifying their belief in Santa Claus. The round trip journey is a little more than an hour in length.

The new Christmas Eve Special - occurring on the same night as in the book and movie - will also feature special gifts from Santa that the normal Polar does not offer. The Railway will also offer the Polar Express Dec. 26-28. The GCR Hotel will be open Dec. 24-25. Daily train service to the Grand Canyon will not be offered Dec. 25.

Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-THE-TRAIN. More information about the GCR is available online at www.thetrain.com or by calling 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724).

GCR is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.