V&T Railroad
It’s Christmas in March for Tyler Smith, the winner of The Polar Express Ticket Giveaway for tickets to the opening weekend of The Polar Express Train Ride on the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad this 2016 season.
For the past month V&T conducted surveys for customer feedback about their experience with the railroad. Each survey participant was entered in a giveaway to win four coach tickets to the highly anticipated opening weekend of holiday train, Nov. 17-20.
The Polar Express is a beloved holiday tradition in Northern Nevada that features Santa Claus, carolers and a reading of the classic children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg.
Smith, of Auburn, Calif., was randomly selected from 1,710 entries as the winner. Smith, his wife Nicole and their three children will board the festively decorated passenger cars of V&T’s diesel engine at the Carson City Eastgate Depot (seven miles east of downtown Carson City). From the depot they will be whisked away to experience an abundance of Christmas enchantment, including sounds from The Polar Express motion picture soundtrack and holiday treats before meeting the big man himself – Santa Claus.
Once The Polar Express arrives at the North Pole (nearly two miles from the Carson City Eastgate Depot), Santa Claus and his helpers will board the train to give the first gift of Christmas to each child – a silver sleigh bell. Just as the sound of silver sleigh bells fills the air, so too will Christmas carols as holiday characters lead passengers in a sing-along as the train departs the North Pole on its return trip to Carson City.
“The holidays do not truly start until you visit the North Pole and meet Santa,” said V&T Sales and Marketing Coordinator Candy Duncan. “The Polar Express offers a one-of-a-kind experience that has become a tradition for so many families in Northern Nevada.”
Tickets go on sale in August 2016. The train has sold out for five consecutive years even as more trains have been added, testifying to its popularity and need to reserve early. Approximately 15,000 passengers ride with Santa and his helpers every season.
The 2016 season is set up to be an eventful and memorable year for the V&T with steam train rides officially opening Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-29. V&T offers a Mother’s Day Special prior to the season opening May 7-8 on diesel trains. Each mother receives a long stem rose to sweeten her day as she rides through the spectacular scenery to arrive at Virginia City. Additional special events are scheduled throughout the year.
For more information, visit www.vtrailway.com or 877-724-5007.
