Hello friends! The North Pole Express is in full swing at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. Today, Monday December 9th, is a rare day off for me. We do not run trains on Mondays during the holiday season. With so much happening, there are lots of stories to share. Today I will share a select few from this season and from past ones.
Remember that the views expressed here are my own and may not reflect the company’s. Also, minor SPOILERS for the North Pole Express on-board experience are in today’s post. Ready? Time to head north!
Reunions
Three former coworkers of mine have ridden the NPE with their children and/or partners twice in the past week of operations. The first was Haley, who was bringing her daughter and boyfriend on the train. She had a brief reunion with myself and Carmen, our yardmaster, before heading to the North Pole.
The second was Emily, a former North Polian, riding the train with her husband to support one of our current cast members. I thought I recognized her on the platform with her husband as my train rolled out. I waved to her. Later, she posted on social media that she was on board that night. Sure enough, I had indeed spotted Emily!
Yesterday, another former North Polian rode the 4:30 train with her 2-year-old daughter and her husband. Her name is Sarah. I remember her from the 2018 season as Joy Jubilee. I was on the platform waiting for my train to roll out when they came up to me. Sarah and I hugged, and I answered a question for her. I bid the family a safe trip right before my train departed.
Claus Family Interactions
As a train crew member, one of my duties is monitoring Santa and Mrs. Claus as they visit the guests on board. I stay with them as they make their way through. Mrs. Claus takes the lead, then me, with Santa bringing up the rear. Because of that, I witness many Claus family visits.
In one case, Santa was visiting a family, and the little boy on the mother’s lap started to cry. Poor guy couldn’t have been more than a year old. This Santa, ever the gentleman, gave the child a bell, bid the family Merry Christmas, then moved on. He handled that interaction like a champ.
Another time, I was watching Mrs. Claus. She came upon a family with four girls, all between the ages of five and ten. They were overjoyed to see her. The girls were all dressed in matching Christmas pajamas, which Mrs. Claus delightfully joked with them about. The girls practically jumped out of their seats to take a photo with Mrs. Claus. I did bunny ears on the photographer, which got big giggles from the girls!
North Pole Dance Party
The North Polians act as MCs in each of the train cars. They set the pace and atmosphere in the car, plus they perform the live musical rendition of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” during the first fifteen minutes of the 90-minute trip. Each North Polian has their own unique spin on the show.
The train is stopped at the North Pole later in the trip. At this point, the North Polians start a dance party in their cars. This helps the kids release their energy. One of our North Polians, Ange L. Snow, likes to play a child-friendly song during the dance party that is not “Christmasy” but is still fun and catchy. Hopefully, the next time I see her, she can tell me the name of that song!
A popular song to play during the dance party is “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. I know of at least two North Polians who do this. One of them is my friend Stella Snowflake, aka Sydney. Even if she doesn’t use that song in her dance party, I have a funny feeling that she might after reading this post (you’re the best, Syd!).
Dinner on the Go
During North Pole operations, an employee cafe is set up inside a kitchen car. Here cast and crew members can grab snacks and beverages, and place orders for hot food from a limited menu. The items can be picked up from the cafe until 6pm.
I have ordered from the “Grinch Cafe” several times and always found the food good. In some cases, I pick up my order during work and eat it aboard the train. Other times I eat the meal after getting home. On a few occasions over the years, I have eaten in the River Valley Junction event hall after it closes to guests.
Before being converted into a parlor car, coach 500 served as our Trackside Cafe. I ate my share of meals in there, chatted with my coworkers, and guzzled some hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is my favorite winter drink. As I like to joke about the NPE cast and crew, we survive on a steady diet of hot chocolate and sugar cookies.
Best Friends on the Job
Working with the same group of people night after night in a festive environment, you naturally grow close to each other. As I have written before on this blog, some of my closest friends are also my coworkers. I have mentioned Peter Buck, my best friend, before, but there’s also Jayden, Camillo, Joe, and Carmen. All wonderful men in their own right, and a joy to work with.
I have mentioned Sydney (Stella Snowflake) several times as well, but there’s also Angela (Baabera Woolysmith), Kyle (Freddy Frost), Claudia (Tala Tinseltree), and Sierra (Fauna Wintergreen).
My best friend among the North Polians is Jennifer, aka Parumpa Pom Pom. We met during the 2016 season, which happened to be the year we both started. We have grown very close over the years. She sings with a music partner. I have seen them perform many times. We have even ridden the train together as friends during the summer season.
Ask me in person about how Jennifer and I managed to embarrass ourselves during the 2023 season on Train 1. It really is quite hilarious!
North and Back Again
At the end of each night of North Pole Express operations, I am left with tired, but my heart is always full. I may not see my blood family a lot during this time of year (it also makes dating much harder), but seeing my work family each night makes up for it.
To be blunt, I LOVE the North Pole Express! I look forward to the event all year long. When I am standing on the deck of the Becky Thatcher, or sitting in the wheelhouse, my mind frequently drifts to the Christmas season. Who will I see again? What memories will we make? Will Joe finally let me conduct trains? These thoughts and more cross my mind.
If you are riding or working the North Pole Express this year, I hope to see you out there. All aboard, we’re on our way!
As always, thanks for reading!
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