Your Basket
The Polar Express™
The Polar Express™ is back! And this year, the Maine Interior Design Association will join the party to specially design each car.
The Polar Express™ will come to life again in a whole new way when the Maine Narrow Gauge train departs its Portland depot for a journey to the “North Pole.” Holiday decorations along the train's route will light up the night as guests on board meet the conductor, have hot chocolate and cookies, listen to a reading of the magical story, and sing carols. Santa will ride back with everyone to the train station from a special outpost of the North Pole and his elf helpers will make sure that every child receives the special bell on board the train. Back at the station, those who want an official photo with Santa can return, while others can head home with their bell and their special memories of a magical ride.
We encourage everyone to arrive hungry! This year we've invited The Front Room Restaurant and Bar to be part of the fun. They've accepted and will be serving delicious and affordable foods each day of Polar Express.
We've expanded our FIRST CLASS this year to include 2 cars and more seating. In these cars, everyone drinks their hot chocolate in official Polar Express™ mugs (not available for sale), which become theirs to keep.
Children are encouraged to wear PJ's!
Be ready to board 15 minutes prior to the train's departure! The Polar Express leaves right on time.
This event is the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad's biggest annual fund raiser - thank you for your support!
The MNGRR preserves, interprets and operates a valuable collection of historic two-foot narrow gauge railroad stock that was the economic development engine of interior Maine from the 1880's to the 1930's.
The train leaves from the Hancock Street platform next to the Ocean Gateway Pier, which serves as the train depot for this event. The train then travels east along the Casco Bay on the Eastern Promenade of the Portland Peninsula toward the "North Pole." Holiday decorations along the train's route light up the night. Guests on board meet the conductor, have hot chocolate and cookies, listen to a reading of the magical story and sing carols. The train will pick up Santa from a special outpost of the North Pole and he will ride back with everyone to the train station as his elf helpers hand out the special bells on board the train. The train ride lasts about 40 minutes (allow 90 minutes for entire experience) and once back at the station, folks can head home with their bell or remain for an official photo with Santa.
Be ready to board 15 minutes prior to the train's departure. The Polar Express™ leaves right on time.
Directions to 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland, Maine 04101:
- From I-295, take EXIT 7 (Franklin Street).
- On Franklin Street, go to the 7th traffic light and turn LEFT onto Commercial Street.
- Continue STRAIGHT through the stop sign at India Streets (Commercial becomes Thames Street).
- For parking at the Ocean Gateway Garage (167 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101): At next stop sign, turn LEFT onto Hancock Street. (Look to the right to see the Ocean Gateway Pier - building with clock tower. This is where you'll board the train).
- At next stop sign, turn LEFT onto Fore Street. Entrance to garage is on the right (alternate entrance for garage around the block on the opposite side of the building - Middle Street). Fee for parking.
Maine Narrow Gauge's Polar Express Cancellation Policy:
All ticket sales are non-refundable, unless a train is cancelled. As a rule, Maine Narrow Gauge will cancel a train only if the City of Portland declares a snow emergency or in the case of equipment failure. Should that happen, cancellation information will be available on the PortTIX website, on local television and radio stations, and via PortTix at 207-842-0800. If a train is cancelled, generally ticket-holders will be able to donate the value of the tickets back to the MNGRR and receive a tax donation receipt for the value of the tickets (handling fees are not returnable in any form). MNGRR 207-828-0814. Any decision to cancel a train will be made by 12:00pm on the day of the event.
We thank customers for their patience and understanding as the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad navigates the decision to cancel and process of communicating to all patrons!
If you've purchased tickets to The Polar Express and they are being held at "Will-Call," the following are your pick-up options:
1. On the day of the event you may pick up your tickets at the Ocean Gateway Pier beginning at 3:00 PM. (Please allow 30 minutes for pick up).
2. If you wish to pick up your tickets in advance, please call the PortTix box office at 207-842-0800.
Stay tuned for info!