What Does My “Polar Express” Ticket Include?
Each ticket includes a Polar Express Train Ride; admission to the Central Pacific Passenger Station where you will pick up your tickets, shop, and enjoy entertainment while you are waiting to board the train; admission to the Eagle Theater where you may meet Santa and have your picture taken by a professional photographer; and complimentary admission to the California State Railroad Museum the day of your visit or any other day before January 1, 2010 (the Museum’s regular hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day; these hours of operation will be in effect during The Polar Express Train Ride event). 

What can I expect on the Train Ride?
Each Polar Express Train Ride will last approximately one hour.  You will enter the Central Pacific Passenger Station and pick up your tickets.  You are free to enjoy the entertainers, shop, or climb aboard the caboose.  At approximately 30 minutes prior to your train time, you will line up according to your boarding point listed on your ticket.  Children ages one year and under, do not require a tickeet and must be seated on an adults lap on board the train.  Once on board the train, you will travel to the "North Pole" while we read the story of The Polar Express.  Dancing waiters will fly through the cars as each ticketed passenger is served hot chocolate and a treat.  As the train passes the North Pole, you will catch a glimpse of Santa while the train readys for the return trip.  As you head back to Old Sacramento, Santa will be on board and walk through each car to give out the "first gift of Christmas" -- the sleigh bell -- to each passenger.  We will all join in and sing Christmas Carols as we pull into the station in Old Sacramento.  Once you de-board the train, walk across the walkway to the Eagle Theater, where Santa will be available to talk with your child and take a photo.

What can I expect in First Class?
First Class passengers will board the observation car, El Dorado before the Coach passengers.  Your tickets will indicate whether you are seated in the Parlor or Lounge section of the car.  Each section of this beautiful 1930s car includes lounge-style seating and freedom to roam about the car.  You may step outside onto the observation deck or look out the large windows.  Each ticketed passenger will receive hot chocolate served in a commemorative mug.  Car Attendants will be assigned to each section of the car.

Where do I pick up my tickets?
All tickets will be held in Will Call inside the Central Pacific Passenger Station at the corner of Front and J Streets and available on the day of your train ride only.  When you place your order, you will receive a confirmation number.  Please note the exact date and time of your tickets when you place the order.  Exact seating is not assigned, it is on a first-come, first-served basis, however, you may select a specific car at the time you order your tickeets.  Approximately 2 weeks before your train ride, you will receive an additional email reminding you of what to bring, where to park and where to go for your tickets.  Ticktes are not refundable. Exchanges are based on availability.  The event will take place rain or shine. You may call (916) 445-8270 to order by phone or ask questions. 

Don’t Miss Your Train!
You may pick up your tickets for The Polar Express Train Ride at the Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station in Old Sacramento, located southwest of th entrance of the California State Railroad Museum on the corner of Front and J Streets. Departure times for your ride on the Polar Express are exact—missed train rides cannot be taken later. You will pick up your ticket from the ticket office inside the Passenger Station starting at 2:00 pm each day.  We suggest you arrive approximately 1 hour prior to your departure time to pick up your tickets.  You may begin lining up for your car approximately 30-45 minutes prior to departure.

Can We Wear Pajamas and bring our copy of the book?
Of course—that’s part of the fun! We encourage the whole family to dress in your warmest pajamas and bring your book for the Conductor to sign if you wish.  Do be sure to dress warmly enough to walk comfortably to and from your car, and make sure that everyone in your party is wearing appropriate footwear. You will be traversing streets with packed granite soil and wooden boardwalks to reach the event’s starting point—the Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station in Old Sacramento. The Passenger station is covered but heated and open to the elements.  The train cars, however, are nice and warm for your trip.

Restrooms and Diaper-Changing Facilities
There are no restrooms aboard the train.  The ride is one-hour long.  Restrooms are available in the Central Pacific Passenger Station.

Where Can We Park our Baby Stroller?
Strollers and baby carriers are not allowed aboard The Polar Express Train Ride, due to narrow aisles aboard the train and the need for crews to freely move about during the trip. You may keep your stroller with you while inside the Passengers Station.  Stroller parking will be available just prior to boarding of your train. A convenient location will be designated for this purpose, and guarded while your train is journeying to the North Pole!

Access for Persons with Disabilities
Train rides on The Polar Express are not fully accessible to persons with disabilities, due to historic, limited doorway widths and steep stepwells. However, our train crews are always pleased to lend assistance when boarding and alighting from the train (provided wheelchairs or other oversize assistive devices are not required during the trip). If you need any assistance preboarding the train, please let them know at the ticket window and a station agent will preboard your family member who needs assistance, plus one other person from the party to accompany them.  The remaining members of the party will line up with the rest of the passengers for regular boarding.

The California State Railroad Museum and related “Polar Express” activities are fully accessible to persons with disabilities, except as noted above. If you require special accommodation, please notify us in advance of your visit by e-mailing us via the "contact us" page on our Polar Express home page, or by calling (916) 445-5995.

Will Food Be Available at this Event?
Food will not be available at the actual event site -- except for the hot chocolate and small treat aboard the train during the ride. If you wish to come early or stay later after the ride, there are a variety of restaurants throughout the Old Sacramento Historic District, catering to every kind of clientele. Visit www.oldsacramento.com for more details.

Weather Conditions
Winter wind, rain or other adverse conditions are possible. Please check weather conditions prior to your visit, and dress accordingly. The Polar Express Train Ride will operate as scheduled, regardless of weather. Most event activities are indoors or under cover. All seating aboard trains is indoors; no open-air cars will be included in the train.

Getting to Old Sacramento
By Auto: Exit Interstate 5 in Downtown Sacramento at “J” Street, and follow the overhead signs to Old Sacramento (J Street to 5th, left onto 5th, left onto “I”, straight ahead to Old Sacramento). Remember: If you have reserved a Thursday or Friday departure of The Polar Express, please allow sufficient time to reach Old Sacramento regardless of rush hour travel conditions. By Amtrak: the Sacramento train depot is just two blocks from Old Sacramento and the Museum. Amtrak’s Capitols offer frequent service from the Bay Area; San Joaquins from Fresno/Modesto. For routes, fares, and reservations call 1-800-USA-RAIL or visitwww.amtrak.com.

Old Sacramento Parking
On-street metered parking throughout Old Sacramento is time-limited to 90 minutes or less. Therefore, we recommend parking in one of the City of Sacramento’s Downtown/Old Sacramento public parking lots. The nearest and most reasonably priced one is located on “I” Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, underneath Interstate 5 in Old Sacramento. An online map of City Parking Garages in the Downtown/Old Sacramento area may be accessed at www.downtownsac.org by clicking on "map."

Local Public Transportation
Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum, and all of the City of Sacramento are served by Sacramento Regional Transit busses and Light Rail lines. Light Rail trains travel to and from the Sacramento train depot, just two blocks from Old Sacramento and the Railroad Museum. For details, call Regional Transit at (916) 321-2877 or visitwww.sacrt.com.

Official Merchandise
This Polar Express Train Ride event will feature a variety of themed merchandise. Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted. An extensive selection of railroad-related merchandise is also available from the California State Railroad Museum Store, along with souvenirs, books, videos, posters and gifts. The Museum Store will operate its regular hours of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm during The Polar Express Train Ride event (closing time each evening during the event will be extended until 9:30 p.m. at the Polar Express Store in the Central Pacific Passenger Station) To order before or after your visit, call (800) 417-7245 or visit the Store online at this Website.

Lodging & Tourism Information
The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau can recommend a number of hotels and attractions in the area, or the Bureau will be happy to mail you a complete Sacramento Visitors Guide upon request. The Bureau provides callers with information between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday at (916) 264-7777, or visit www.discovergold.org anytime.