Santa will present each child with a silver sleigh bell during the Dennison Railroad Depot's upcoming Polar Express train rides. (Dennison Railroad Depot Museum)

DENNISON - The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum is again giving visitors a chance to take a festive holiday journey aboard The Polar Express. 

Rides are scheduled throughout the month of December and offer families a magical Christmas experience aboard a train headed for the North Pole. Costumed storytellers will read Chris Van Allsburg “The Polar Express" as travelers enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, sing Christmas carols, play games, and visit with special characters with local students dressed as elves serving as special helpers. On the way back, Santa Claus will visit with the children on board and present each of them a silver sleigh bell. Local school children dressed as elves to be special helpers during the train ride. 

Before and after the train ride visitors are encouraged to visit the vendors set up in the Masonic Temple across from the station and the "Elf Yourself Shoppe" where children can receive a special gift and have their faces painted. The museum will also be open for self-guided tours, giving passengers a chance to take a step back in history. Photo opportunities will be available before and after the ride along with a fun-filled scavenger hunt. 

Polar Express dates and departure times are as follows:

  • Friday, December 6th at 6pm and 8pm
  • Saturday, December 7th at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm
  • Sunday, December 8th at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm
  • Friday, December 13th at 6pm and 8pm
  • Saturday, December 14th at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm
  • Sunday, December 15th at 2pm*, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm

Coach tickets are $50 per ticket with an additional $3 processing fee. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 740-922-6776 or visit dennisondepot.eventbrite.com.

*Ride includes a sensory-friendly car for passengers with special needs

About the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum

The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum sits halfway between Columbus and Pittsburgh and on the National Defense Railway route. Over 1.3 million servicemen were served at a trackside canteen during WWII. That is how Dennison got the nickname Dreamsville, USA with its friendly service offering a free cup of coffee and a sandwich to all the soldiers who passed through. Today, the museum offers a fully restored Depot that was built in 1873, an extremely rare WWII Hospital car, a model train display and more! Be sure to visit the museum to hear all of the stories and memories created here.

DENNISON RAILROAD DEPOT MUSEUM