Texas State Railroad Hosts The Polar Express by Jessica Payne

Christmas lights and decorations covered the grounds of the Texas State Railroad Palestine depot for their annual Polar Express train ride. The festive ride, which began on November 16 and will run through December 28, offers several seating options including Presidential, Upper Dome, First Class, Deluxe Coach, Open Air Coach and Coach. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Pajama-clad children browse the gift shop before boarding the Polar Express in Palestine on Saturday, November 23. The ride includes hot cocoa, cookies, Christmas carols and a visit from Santa. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Families check in to pick up their tickets for a ride on the Polar Express. Once onboard, Coca Chefs serve cookies and hot chocolate while bringing to life Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book The Polar Express. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Alexis Davis, 8, holds up her golden ticket for the Polar Express train ride on Saturday. The ride includes hot cocoa, cookies, Christmas carols and a visit from Santa. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Families board the Polar Express as Texas State Railroad employee Breanna Warner welcomes them. Once onboard, Coca Chefs serve cookies and hot chocolate while bringing to life Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book The Polar Express. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Coca Chef Samantha Thompson reads the Polar Express book to children riding The Polar Express train leaving from the Palestine depot on Saturday, November 23. During the trip back children receive their first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell, which is said only “believers” can hear. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Mason Gill, 7, of Houston turns the page of the classic book The Polar Express while taking a magical train ride that reenacts the book on Saturday, November 23. The approximately 60-minute ride leaves from Palestine and takes children to the North Pole to meet Santa. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

A coca chef dances in the aisle entertaining children aboard the Polar Express on Saturday. The festive ride, which began on November 16 and will run through December 28, offers several seating options including Presidential, Upper Dome, First Class, Deluxe Coach, Open Air Coach and Coach. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Santa greets children aboard the Polar Express on Saturday. The train ride, which runs from November 16 to December 28, leaves from Palestine and takes families on a magical journey to the North Pole. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Aubreigh Hammond, 6, raises her hands in joy while riding the Polar Express on Saturday, November 23. The train ride, which runs from November 16 to December 28, leaves from Palestine and takes families on a magical journey to the North Pole. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)