Tickets for high-demand North Pole Express ride on sale July 25: What to know

Twenty years ago, Tom Hank’s conductor told the little boy boarding the Polar Express this:

“One thing about trains: It doesn’t matter where you’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.”

For the 20th anniversary of the film, "Polar Express" fans have the option to decide to get on, and they will have to make a decision soon.

Tickets for the North Pole Express, based in Owosso, go on sale on July 25. The express is an annual holiday tradition inspired by the 2004 film, “Polar Express,” which turns 20 this year.

The express is led by the historic locomotive, Pere Marquette 1225, which was used as the blueprint for the Polar Express train in the film and has been shuffling folks through the snow every holiday season since 2004. This winter, the Steam Railroading Institute will be celebrating 20 years of Christmas magic, and each ticket is good for a trip from Owosso to the Village of Ashley Country Christmas festival and back. Riders will be able to choose between several vintage holiday-themed train cars.

Where to sit?

The North Pole Express features a variety of seating options. Because of the fleet’s historic nature, it is not ADA-compliant. Potential riders are asked to acknowledge their party can climb up and down the stairs before purchasing tickets. For questions, they should call the SRI at (989) 725-9464

Frank Thomson Private Car

The ritziest option is the Frank Thomson Private Car, which features complimentary drinks, sweet treats and several free souvenirs. The Thomson Private Car is exclusively for larger parties — there are no tickets for individual seats. Instead, the car is available to parties of up to 26 for the price of $6,200, including a $1,000 deposit.

Caboose

The caboose can be reserved exclusively for smaller parties in the 10-12 range. The historic private car comes with free souvenirs, unlimited hot cocoa and dual-level seating. It will cost $2,200.

Claus Club

The Claus Club will cost $500 for a party of four in a vintage dining car from the 1950s, and it will also feature unlimited hot cocoa. The car will host multiple parties of four at once, with assigned seating.

Cocoa

At $105 per ticket, the Cocoa option gives guests an opportunity to ride in a vintage coach car from the 1950s on their way to the County Christmas festival.

Coach

At $80, coach is the simplest seating option possible, and it comes with a complimentary cup of hot cocoa.

How to get tickets

Tickets will go up for sale online on July 25 at noon, and they might go quickly. Last year, they sold out in just a few hours.

Parties interested in the Frank Thomson car can begin making early reservations now, however. The SRI is accepting reservations until July 24.

When does it run?

The North Pole Express will steam through the snow on weekends in November and December. The first ride will take off on Nov. 23, and the final ride will depart on Dec. 22.

There will be two trips a day on Saturday and Sunday, one in the morning, at 10 a.m., and one in the evening at 5 p.m. Each excursion is expected to take about four and a half hours.

To buy tickets, visit the Steam Railroading Institute website here.