RailEnquiry

The West Texas and Lubbock Railway is planning to go around the North Pole in 80 minutes aboard the Christmas season’s Polar Express, and is inviting families of all ages to come along for the ride.Pajamas are optional.Because of a book titled “The Polar Express,” and a movie by the same name, the train ride will attempt to add atmosphere with hot chocolate, a conductor who punches tickets, and a stop at a North Pole village to allow Santa Claus and his elves to board.The schedule begins Nov. 16 and ends Jan. 6. Specific dates are Nov. 16-19, 21, 23-26, 28-30; Dec. 1-3, 5-10, 12-23, 27-30; and Jan. 2-6. Most times are 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., though some 4:30 p.m. trips also will be offered.Coach class tickets for the general public are $32.47, $21.65 for children ages 2-12, and free for children younger than 2. For the lower dome, prices are $59.53 for adults, $43.30 for children 2-12, and $10 for children younger than 2. Upper dome tickets are $64.95, $48.71 and $10.Tickets are available online at www.westtexaspolarexpressride, by phone (877) 726-7745, or at the train station, 103 N. Steck Ave., near the railroad track in Wolfforth.Bruce Carswell, vice president for Permian Basin Railways, said the train will leave from the Wolfforth Depot.“We’re starting in our newly restored 1925 Panhandle and Santa Fe Depot, originally located in Whiteface, Texas. We’ve relocated it here to Wolfforth to be our general offices, and we’re also going to use it for starting our Polar Express train that will leave from here and travel to the North Pole.”

For those who challenge the train’s ability to reach the North Pole in so short a time, Carswell admits that the train does stop near Ropesville, where a Santa’s village has been set up.

“This year’s ride will be around an hour to an hour and 20 minutes,” Carswell said.

We’ll travel from here to the North Pole in well-decorated cars. Everybody will be in the holiday spirit after a ride on the Polar Express.”

Carswell expects to use between five and seven passenger cars, and is providing for a capacity of between 400 and 500 for each trip.