Hello friends! Welcome to another post on The Railroading Captain. This week I will continue to talk about my experiences working aboard the North Pole Express. As always, the views expressed on this blog are my own and may not reflect those of the company.
The North Pole Express is a gargantuan production, requiring over one hundred people a night across all departments to ensure that the operation runs smoothly. That includes train crew, locomotive crew, food service, facilities support, Claus family, North Polians, office personnel, etc. It’s a huge cast and crew, easily larger than most Broadway productions.
For this particular post, I am going to talk about the platform greeters and what they do each operating night. When I first started at the North Pole Express in 2016, I was a platform greeter. I joined the train crew the following year, but still occasionally help out as a platform greeter. Ready to learn more? Let’s check our manifest.
Reporting In
Under the jurisdiction of the office manager, platform greeters report to work at least two hours before the first North Pole Express train departs. This year we have four trains running for NPE (numbered trains 1 through 4), with one departure every 30 minutes. If the first departure is at 2pm, the platform crew reports at noon.
Upon arriving at the office, the greeters punch in, and then take company-issued radios for communication. Fluid communication between the platform manager, the train crew, and the yardmaster allows for an efficient operation. After punching in, the platform crew has some downtime, allowing them to grab a meal from the employee kitchen, drink some water, etc.
I usually take this time to banter with coworkers, walk the platform, and watch as the crowds start to trickle in. During this time, the train and locomotive crews are making their switching moves to get the trains made up and ready to go.
Getting Ready
Approximately one hour before the first departure, the guests begin to arrive. The gift shop and the River Valley Junction event hall open up to the public, and the train crew has their mandatory job briefing. Once the first train is in position, the platform crew steps out onto the platform. At this point, each member of the platform crew has manifests for their respective train cars for each departure.
At the same time (even a bit earlier), the food service personnel have boarded the trains and are setting up. The Sleepy Servers are on board preparing hot cocoa for the first trip, and the parlor car attendants are stocking their stations with beverages.
Thirty minutes before departure, the North Polians board their respective train cars. The stage manager soundchecks each North Polian, getting them set to perform.
Boarding Time
By this point, the train crew members and platform greeters are all in position at the train cars they are assigned to board. I make it a practice to coordinate with the North Polian in my train car to ensure smooth boarding. This year, many of our North Polians are returning veterans, and are familiar with boarding guests into the cars, both in Coach and First Class seating. Their experience helps ensure smooth boarding.
An announcement is made over the station’s PA system when it is time to board the guests onto the train. When boarding time comes, I check with my car’s North Polian to ensure that they are ready. Once they are all set, I start boarding guests.
I board the guests one party at a time. For a general public car, each party will most often be one family. I check them off my manifest, punch their tickets, and show them on board, telling them to watch their step and to say hello to the car’s North Polian, be it the Sugar Plum Fairy, Baabera Woolysmith, Ever Wintergreen, or any other.
Once the car is boarded, I check with the North Polian to ensure that everyone is seated, then shut the door and disembark. Unlike train crew members, platform greeters remain at the station. When departure time arrives, the Conductor calls “all aboard!” and the train departs. We then prepare for the next departure or arrival.
Returning to the Station
When each train returns from its excursion, the platform greeters are there to deboard the same coaches that they boarded at the excursion’s start. The train will roll into the station and come to a gentle stop. The Engineer will radio that the train is in position. Only when the Conductor acknowledges that the train is in position is it safe to disembark the guests. This ensures that no one is injured by any unexpected train movement.
Once the train is in position, I open my train car’s trap or gate, open the interior door, and call out “Welcome back, travelers!” The guests then file off of the car, bidding goodbye to the North Polian, climbing down to the platform as I observe, and begin their journey home with full hearts.
Having Fun With It
Over the years, I have come up with several different ways to make the boarding and deboarding processes a fun part of the experience. It doesn’t need to be a dull routine. After all, we are in the business of making memories, so we might as well make it memorable!
When I first started in 2016, the tickets came together on a roll. Often I would be handed a string of tickets. I would have a guest hold one end of the string, while I punched the tickets rapidly in a line. Then I would have one of the guests wear the string of tickets as a scarf.
On one memorable evening in 2023, I was boarding Car W on Train 3. I had almost an entire family dressed as Hero Boy from The Polar Express film. I went up to the family and asked all of them “Well, ya comin’?” stealing a line from the Polar Express Conductor. Stella Snowflake (aka Sydney) was the North Polian in the car, and she noticed the family, understanding the reference once I pointed it out.
As guests are deboarding, I will often ask if the ride was “snowtastic,” or if they had “snow much fun,” using the silly puns that the North Polians do. The guests will often smile and tell me how great the train ride was, which makes me feel good. I love it when guests have positive things to say about our excursions!
Back to the Real World
Once the guests are all off the trains, the trains are put away, the locomotives stored, the North Polians are out of costume, then it is safe for us to go home. Back to reality with a lighter heart.
I adore the North Pole Express so much, and savor every moment of the event, no matter where I am working. Have you been on the North Pole Express? If so, tell us about your experience in the comments! I love discussing this event.
As always, thanks for reading!
Leave a Reply