Polar Express tickets aboard Carson City V&T have sold out; two options available for train enthusiasts

The 2012 Polar Express train aboard the historic V&T Railway in Carson City has sold all of its tickets, officials said. The all-ages train ride is set for 15 different dates, Nov. 23 through Dec. 23. The V&T officially sold all 10,794 of its tickets as of Thursday, said Candy Duncan, executive director of the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Last year's inaugural Polar Express sold out within days of the first ride, with 7,500 tickets offered. Because of last year's demand, an additional 3,294 seats were added, including a VIP car with 1,337 seats. Those VIP seats were the first to go, Duncan said.

A contest that will give away four tickets to the V&T Polar Express ride on Nov. 20 continues through 5 p.m. Friday. To enter go here.

Based on the Warner Bros. film and children's book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is a fantasy tale played out aboard the train, complete with character theatrics. The story is about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Each train features music, storytelling, visits by Santa Claus, memorabilia, keepsakes and refreshments.

The popularity of the train in Carson City has been in lockstep with similar trains nationally, which report sold-out rides. In Sacramento, for example, the Polar Express sold out of tickets within days.
There are two options available for families who wish to ride trains during the holiday season, including a Polar Express that is similiar to the V&Ts, aboard Nevada Northern Railway in Ely.

In Carson City, Santa Claus will make an express run on the Nevada State Railroad Museum’s steam train pulled by V&T Railway locomotive No. 25 on two December weekends. The museum’s Santa Train departs Carson City’s Wabuska Depot at the corner of Fairview Drive and U.S. 395 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2 and again on Dec. 15 and 16.

Trains run continuously throughout the day, sun, rain or snow. Each Santa Train trip leaves the depot as soon as Santa and passengers have boarded. Tickets are $3 per seat and available at the depot.

Santa Trains are first come, first served so passengers should arrive early. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the exhibits and magnificently restored locomotives and rolling stock in the museum's main building before or after riding the Santa Train. Museum admission is $6 for adults, free for those 17 and under and for members. For more information call (775) 687-6953.

Meanwhile, The Pony Express Territory, a fascinating route that takes travelers across Nevada on U.S. Highway 50, has announced an enticing offer to experience the magic of Nevada’s original Polar Express train.

This Winter Wonderland trip on the annual Polar Express can only be experienced at the historic Nevada Northern Railway in Ely — a wonderful museum and a National Historic Landmark that has been featured repeatedly on the History Channel’s American Restoration.

Entering to Win is Easy: Pony Express Territory fans can enter to win free lodging for one night at the Ramada Inn & Copper Queen Casino in Ely plus free entry for four to a festive ride on Nevada’s original Polar Express train by liking and sharing these two pages:

www.facebook.com/ponyexpressnevada

and

www.facebook.com/nnry1

Be sure to enter this contest prior to noon on Fri., Nov. 24 and participants must be Facebook users and at least 18 years old. The contest winner must redeem the Polar Express Escape to Ely prize by Dec. 29, 2012. Visit www.nnry.com to view the select 2012 dates that the Nevada Northern Railway’s Polar Express is running.

Nevada's Pony Express Territory encompasses 17 million acres and 1,840 miles of wide-open space, rich cultural heritage, rugged undisturbed nature and black night skies. The Territory is where the Pony Express riders once galloped along its main trail, now Highway 50 with the six adventurous towns of Dayton, Fallon, Fernley, Austin, Eureka, Ely and one national park, Great Basin. Twenty years ago Life Magazine designated Nevada State Highway 50 “America’s Loneliest Road.” For more information, visit www.PonyExpressNevada.com or call 1-888-359-9449.