October 13, 2024

The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum will run The Polar Express trips this December in conjunction with the support of the Genesee and Wyoming Railroad. Submitted photo.

The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum will run The Polar Express trips this December in conjunction with the support of the Genesee and Wyoming Railroad. Submitted photo.

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum celebrates their 20th year of the Polar Express Train Excursions

EDITOR’S NOTE: Holiday Memory Maker is a seasonal feature highlighting opportunities to make family memories with various Christmas or holiday events. The events may or may not be local to Meigs County, Ohio.

The Dennison Depot has created magical memories for families with their Polar Express for twenty consecutive years.

Santa hands a child a silver sleigh bell as they make a magical memory. Submitted photo.

DENNISON, Ohio – The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum will run The Polar Express trips this December in conjunction with the support of the Genesee and Wyoming Railroad. This train ride offers families a magical Christmas experience aboard a train headed for the North Pole. Aboard the train passengers will get the book “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg read to them, drink hot cocoa, and eat delicious cookies. While on the way to and from the North Pole the passengers will get to sing Christmas carols, play games, and visit with special characters. On the way back from the North Pole, Santa Claus will visit with each child and give them a silver sleigh bell.  Local school children will act as elves to be special helpers during the train ride. 

Before and after the train ride visitors are encouraged to visit the vendors, which will be set up in the Masonic Temple across from the Dennison Depot. The visitors can also visit the Elf Yourself Shoppe where children will get their face painted, a special gift, and look just like an elf reporting for duty. The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum will also be open so the passengers can even take a step back in history and view the museum which offers a fun filled scavenger hunt for kids. There will also be various photo opportunities for families to enjoy while waiting for the train ride and after they return. 

The Polar Express Train Excursions depart on: 

  • Friday, December 6 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 8 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.
  • Friday, December 13 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 15 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.

Coach tickets are $50 per ticket with an additional $3 processing fee. Tickets can be purchased from the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum by calling 740.922.6776 during their normal business hours. The Dennison Depot is also happy to announce they are offering a Sensory Friendly Car on December 15 at 2 p.m. For more information contact the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum at your convenience. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Depot or going to dennisondepot.eventbrite.com

Families enjoying time at the Polar Express excursion. Submitted photos.

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.