North Pole Express!

The past two years we've done the North Pole Express out of New Hope (2016, 2015) which has been fun, but very expensive for what you actually get (a short ride on a train, meet santa, hot chocolate, and a cookie). I had heard great things about the also nearby Black River Railroad in Flemington, NJ and when tickets opened up on Christmas Eve Eve (aka 12/23) I jumped on the opportunity to try it out! 

This was a morning train on a rainy day, which changed the feel of the experience, but overall I'd say we loved it and would choose this over the New Hope train next year! They also have steam engines available (we got diesel this time) which would be awesome to try next time!

All aboard! Getting ready to hop on the train!

So excited to ride on the train!

Santa Jammies and Stuffed Animals! Brown Bear for Nolan, Max from "Life of Pets" for Emmy

So cuddly on with Jammies on a Rainy day!

 There were some similarities and some differences with this train compared to New Hope. Both had the old fashioned train cars decorated for Christmas and elfs coming through to sing Christmas Carols! This line seemed to have a longer trip (from Flemington to Ringoes station) and the big difference is that you get off the train at the "North Pole" (aka Ringoes station all decorated) for Holiday Activities. They have a toy train set the kids can watch, face painting, hot chocolate, cookies, pictures, etc at the station. Then you get back on the train and head back to Flemington Station. Half the train sees Santa on the train on the way there and the other half sees the train on the way back. In contrast, the New Hope line serves hot chocolate and cookies on the train and you never get off. This experience lasted much longer (and was cheaper!)

Singing Christmas Carols with the Elves!

Loved the Train tickets they gave out - another difference in the train lines.

Conductor dressed up in the old fashioned way to punch the kids tickets like the book/movie

So much fun!

Always the goofballs (including me!)

The kids loved all the activities at the North Pole. Emmy jumped right in to get her face painted, which she had never done before! They got to choose from several designs and she picked a candy cane on one cheek and a snow flake on the other.

When Nolan got back from the bathroom and saw Emmy's face he asked for the same exact choices to match (on the same cheeks too). Love them.

I love Emmy's look up to big brother here.

We took a few more pictures at the North Pole (thankfully it stopped raining at this point!) before heading back on the train.

Photo with an Elf

Photo in front of a green screen (for free!) Next time we'll have to remember that the kids shouldn't wear green or they'll turn into the background :-D

 On the way back, we got our visit from Santa. Just like in New Hope, the kids got a bell from Santa (but these were huge!)

getting their bells

Matching Candy Cane to his cheek and holding his new bell! We have quite the collection of Polar Express Bells now! :D

It was really a fantastic experience and I loved having it on 12/23 at the peak of Christmas excitement. We plan to continue this tradition next year for sure!