Blake Thompson, 3, could barely stop talking when Santa Claus gave him a bell for those who “believe,” just as Santa did for the little boy in the 2004 movie “The Polar Express.”
“I had to hold him down half the time,” said Chris Thompson, 66, Tavares Public Works director, the boy’s grandfather.
The Polar Express train was cheered on by hundreds earlier this month when it rolled into the Lake County city to launch the seasonal ride and herald the Christmas season. It’s one of 42 Polar Express trains nationwide offering a musical theatrical production licensed by Warner Bros. The only other one in Florida is in Miami.
Kids, parents and grandparents sipped cocoa while a quartet of caroling conductors serenaded them as the train slowed to a stop. Manufactured snow glinted under lampposts, adding to the anticipation of the ride based on the computer-animated film.
“… We’re going to send a bunch of folks to the North Pole!” promised Neil Bagaus, general manager of the Orlando and Northwestern Railway, who was dressed in a conductor’s uniform with a golden watch chain draped across his vest.
It marks the return of a tourist train to Tavares, where a vintage steam train, the Orange Blossom Cannonball, ended its run of more than five years in January. That train, which was featured in numerous movies, lost its lease for the train tracks — one of several tourist trains Lake County has had over the years.
So far, the rides on the Polar Express’ 1950s-era passenger cars pulled by diesel locomotives have been popular. Tickets are sold out through Dec. 10 with the exception of two rides. The Polar Express train runs through Dec. 30, after which the trains will switch to other themed excursions.
Based on the children’s book and movie, the Polar Express train aims to re-create iconic scenes and atmosphere, including impeccably dressed porters, chefs and characters. Christmas lights adorn pine garlands draped in the aisles and passengers are treated to cocoa and cookies.
Actresses and actors, hired from a large pool of talent at Walt Disney World, sing and dance during the ride to the “North Pole,” which is the neighboring city of Eustis. Finally, Santa Claus pays a visit to each child to bestow a bell that only rings for those who, as in the movie, “believe.”
“They must typecast these people just perfect — they have the know-it-all girl that comes from the story. She was just dead-on,” Thompson said. “You travel along and it’s dark for a lot of areas — you can’t tell if you’re going slow or fast or what you’re doing … Time just passes by and I guess that’s part of the ambience of the trip.”
That old-timey feeling is just what Orlando and Northwestern Railway strives to achieve. The new local company, part of Indiana-based Mid America Railcar Leasing, plans to offer year-round rides as part of the Royal Palm Railway Experience that’s coordinated with local activities or events, such as a seaplane ride in Tavares or performances at the historic State Theatre in Eustis.
The new train once again puts the city’s vintage-looking train station, built at a cost of $540,000 while the Cannonball was still running, back into use. The space is partly filled by the train operator, which sells fan gear such as conductor hats and T-shirts and, of course, tickets.
“This is a much bigger production,” Tavares Mayor Lori Pfister said. “It’s bringing in a lot of people, that’s for sure.”
Thompson said the ride wasn’t just a blast for his grandson. He and other family members got a kick out of it, too.
“You’re riding on that continuous welded rail so it just is dead smooth,” he said. “You kind of lose sight of time.”
jruiter@orlandosentinel.com or 352-742-5927.