Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
All aboard! It’s time to hop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and ride to the North Pole! This fun family tradition is not to be missed, as you and your grandchildren will love the journey and always remember the experience.
The Polar Express—now called the North Pole Adventure—is inspired by the favorite holiday movie, The Polar Express. We always try to watch the movie or read the book with the grandkids before our train adventure. This 90-minute magical excursion departs from the Akron Northside Station and covers 26 miles of rail-round trip from November 8 to December 21. There are two departures from which to choose, either 5 or 8 o’clock.
While on your ride, you will be served hot chocolate and cookies, along with meeting elves and, of course, you pick up Santa! As you travel close to the Pole, you will see many lights and elves all getting ready for the holidays and welcoming you. The return trip includes visits with the elves and Santa. Also, be ready to sing carols along with the elves and fellow passengers to feel the Christmas spirit!
Our family loves this adventure. We all dress up in our holiday pajamas to make it more of a 
unique experience. We have even gone for a quick dinner before our boarding time at a nearby fast-food restaurant and have seen many families out and about in their jammies!
If you enjoy riding the train, being an elf or Santa, or just selling tickets and ushering families aboard their train car, you can volunteer your services. Volunteering both your holiday spirit and time are the most generous things to give this holiday season. To help the remainder of this year, or to plan for next year, visit cvsr.org/santahelper.
If you don’t mind driving a bit, there are three different Christmas trains south of Cleveland down I-71S.
The Dennison Railroad Depot offers the authentic reenactment of the Polar Express train ride. There are decorated vintage coaches and storytellers read the story aloud as you travel. Santa is picked up at the North Pole and gift children with a special jingle bell, taken from his reindeer’s harness. You truly believe when you hear the bell ring! This train runs from November 30-December 10. There are many different departure times, including Thursday and Friday 6 and 8 and Saturday and Sunday departures at 2, 4, 6 or 8.
The North Pole Express Train ride in Lebanon is operated by the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (LM &M) and offers a festive train ride with decorated cars, holiday cookies and a souvenir bell. It lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes and the children get a lot of time to meet with Santa and the elves.
The Santa Christmas Train ride on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway lasts approx. 2 hours and has been running for over 40 years. You can ride Saturdays and Sundays November 25 thru December 17. Trains depart at the Nelsonville Depot and traverse the historic Hocking River Valley to East Logan and back. Santa will be on board and children will receive a candy cane and visit and receive your grandchild’s Christmas wish list. The cars are all decorated and Christmas music plays throughout your travels. While in Nelsonville, take a walk in the historic district and see the striking Star Bricks along the sidewalks. Nelsonville is famous for producing these Star Bricks since 1904.
Want to try a mini-train? The Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, Inc. has a North Pole Express Christmas train running November 24-December 30. It is a quarter-scale train that will take you for a ride past a magical winter wonderland with decorations and lights. The location is on County Rd 79 in Findlay. No wearing pajamas here… you need to bundle up! Visit their museum and train barn which is decorated with hundreds of trees and toy trains. Santa and Mrs. Claus are around on the weekends. There are no advanced tickets, just buy tickets at the museum: $5 adults and $3 children.
Photos by Karen Shadrach
