Published Online: Sep 30, 2009

THE POLAR EXPRESS BRANSON SCENIC RAILWAY INITIATING SERVICE TO THE NORTH POLE!

"Well, are you coming?" asks the Conductor.

"Where?" asks the Boy.

"Why, to the North Pole, of course. This is The Polar Express!"

BRANSON, MO, September 30, 2009. The Branson Scenic Railway is proud to announce its partnership with Rail Events Inc. (through Warner Brothers Consumer Products, Inc.) to bring the officially licensed train ride event to Branson this holiday season! The Polar Express train rides are based on the holiday feature film from Warner Bros. Pictures and the beloved children’s book, by Chris Van Allsburg, about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, pajama clad passengers will relive the magic of the story as this nighttime train whisks families away for an unforgettable ride to the North Pole. During the journey, the Conductor will punch tickets and Chefs serve hot chocolate, followed by a reading of Van Allsburg’s classic. At the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet the children! And Santa has a gift for those who truly believe - a silver sleigh bell.

Branson Scenic Railway joins over thirty other officially licensed Polar Express Train Ride events nationwide this holiday season and is the only one in the State of Missouri. The Polar Express holiday schedule consists of 60 train departures in November and December leading up to Christmas from the historic depot in downtown Branson on November 6, 13, 20, 21, 27 & 28 at 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm and 8:15pm pm; November 8, 12, 15, 19, 22 & 29 at 4:45 pm and 6:30 pm and November 7 & 14 at 8:00 pm. Departures in December are as follows: December 4, 11, 12, 18 & 19 at 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm and 8:15 pm; December 3, 10, 14, 15, 16 & 17 at 4:45 pm and 6:30 pm and December 5 at 8:00 pm.

Tickets are on sale now and start at $34 per adult and $24 per child (ages 2-12). First Class tickets are available on a limited basis and are $49 per adult and $39 per child (ages 2-12). Along with upgraded seating, all First Class passengers will receive their own Polar Express ceramic souvenir cocoa mug! For tickets and event information, call the Branson Scenic Railway at 800-287-2462 or visit www.bransontrain.com or www.polarexpressride.com.

Be sure to make your reservations early as these trains are expected to sell out quickly. “All Aboard!” - for those who truly believe!

About The Polar Express Film:

The Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunite for The Polar Express, an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Sony Pictures Imageworks and visual effects supervisor Ken Ralston, Oscar winners for their innovative work, help bring the story vividly to the screen in full CG animation through Imageworks’ next-generation motion capture process that allows live-action performances to drive the emotions and movements of the digital characters. The Polar Express will air on ABC and ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas in December 2009. Warner Home Video will once again offer The Polar Express in standard-definition, Blu-ray and 3D DVD versions this holiday season.

About The Polar Express Book:

“The Polar Express” movie is based on Chris VanAllburg’s classic holiday picture book, which tells the story of a boy who takes a magical Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. First published by Houghtin Mifflin Company in 1985, The Polar Express became an instant holiday favorite and has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. In 1986 it won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Illustration.

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