CHRISTMAS carolling, indulgent hot chocolate, and delicious mulled wine are among the many festive goodies we received on the Swanage Polar Express.
Based on the much-loved film, Polar Express starring Tom Hanks tells the story of a young boy’s magical journey to the North Pole.
To get into the Christmas spirit, we also decided to board the magical steam train to the home of Father Christmas.
Dressed in our comfiest Christmassy clothes, we walked in and were handed our special golden train ticket, along with a cup of complimentary mulled wine.
Swanage Railway Station was decked out in Christmas decorations and twinkling lights to create a merry atmosphere.
As we were waiting for the train to arrive and whisk us off to the ‘North Pole’, we were told the story of Christmas by performers on the platform.
When boarding the train, we noticed that all seven carriages were each named after Santa’s reindeer: Rudolph, Blitzen, Comet, Prancer, Vixen, Dasher, and Cupid.
A favourite and nostalgic moment from the evening would have to be a musical rendition of the iconic ‘hot hot hot chocolate’ song performed by the performers across the train, paired with a complimentary hot chocolate and delicious cookie.
We also had the chance to write down our Christmas list which elves then put in a sack for Santa.
Once we arrived at the ‘North Pole’, we could see Santa’s sleigh parked on the platform next to an ice castle surrounded by fairy lights.
The big man himself then made a joyful appearance, giving out handmade Polar Express jingle bell presents to all passengers.
We were also allowed to have a chat with him where I found out that he was 963 years old.
On the way back from the ‘North Pole’, we indulged in joyful Christmas carolling, singing 12 Days of Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
As the journey came to an end, the Polar Express Christmas story concluded with a heartfelt goodbye from the performers saying: “It's a magic carpet on a rail.
“And it never takes a rest flying through the mountains in the snow.
“You can ride for an hour and join in the fun. And by the end, all that you have to do is say yes.
“Because that's the way things happen on the Polar Express.”
The Polar Express runs until December 24 at Swanage Railway Station.
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