2024 Polar Express cancelled?

Rumor has it the 2024 Chicago Polar Express is not happening. supposedly due to some road crossing construction or something???

Couldn't you do this with Metra or even the CTA? Two loops around the Loop on sat/sun and have some NA Eggnogg. Would feel like you were flying above the city to the north pole.

Meh.... Just go out to the IRM and do the Happy Holidays Railway... Ride a train and enjoy some music and hot chocolate with Santa. And you won't have to worry about being carjacked or losing your catalytic converter.

https://www.irm.org/event/happy-holiday-railway/

Rail Events Inc. manages to make a lot of money off the movie characters, but they can't trademark Santa or the North Pole... I'd rather see my money going to a local organization.

I wish it was a rumor but its true. I seen it on one of the news site and confirmed it on its own page.

https://chicagothepolarexpressride.com/

We regret to announce that THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride will not operate in Chicago in 2024 due to extensive city street reconstruction above Union Station. We understand this event is an important experience for families and hope to return in the future. We encourage guests to visit PolarExpressRide.com to view other officially licensed locations in the region.

I will just try for the one in St Louis and the IRM one for this year. Wonder what street reconstruction that is being done for this to be cancelled.

JamesT4 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 4:50 pmWonder what street reconstruction that is being done for this to be cancelled.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/c ... of-au.html

Canal Street will be fully closed from Jackson to Adams for approximately 18 months

Beginning on Monday, August 7th [2023], after the evening rush hours, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will break ground on a multi-phase project to rehabilitate four viaducts of Canal Street between Taylor Street and Madison Street that serve as both a major corridor into Chicago’s Central Business District and as the roof over parts of Chicago Union Station. Phase I of this improvement will be a viaduct rehabilitation of Canal Street from Jackson Boulevard to Adams Street, adjacent to Chicago Union Station’s historic headhouse.

The full width of Canal Street, including the roadway and sidewalks, will be fully reconstructed. To facilitate completion of this work, Canal Street will be fully closed from Jackson to Adams for approximately 18 months. Construction crews will perform day and night work. Access to Chicago Union Station will be maintained.

UPDATE: July 25, 2024

Demolition of the Canal Street Viaduct between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard is underway.

A partial closure of the east sidewalk from Adams Street to the south at mid-block will occur on August 5, 2024 for a duration of 4 to 6 weeks for demolition. During this time period, Union Station/222 South Riverside will be accessible from all entrances including the entrance on the east side of Canal Street, which will be accessible from Jackson Boulevard.

This is puzzling. If indeed CUS is going to be hobbled for a few years, why not run this operation out of LaSalle or Randolph? I toured the train a few years ago and it was a string of horizon cars, and I think they ran out to the Western Ave yards and came back - not a long and complex operation, just enough to get an hour aboard with lights and music and treats.

How far and on who's rails does it normally travel?

I could see it at LaSalle since Metra has run excursions on the Rock Island line before (allowing NKP 765 to be the Joliet Rocket and run steam at MAS instead of 45 MPH where Amtrak runs 79 MPH). I don't see it at Randolph since "special trains" seem to be limited to event trains for Grant Park events (and it could be interesting to take a diesel into the station). Union Station seemed to be the best suited with the ability to build an environment around the train.

LaSalle has nothing to serve as an indoor event space. Everything would need to be done outside or on the train.



Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

justalurker66 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 16, 2024 5:26 pm How far and on who's rails does it normally travel?

It's been a while since I've paid any attention but I think they run nice and slow out to Western Ave or somethign like that, then reverse back into CUS. Meanwhile aboard they serve hot chocolate and lights flash, its really designed for kids and not so much for buffs.

Tadman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2024 3:13 pm Couldn't you do this with Metra or even the CTA? Two loops around the Loop on sat/sun and have some NA Eggnogg. Would feel like you were flying above the city to the north pole.

CTA could expand their holiday train with added trips to make up the loss of the Polar Express, or even have a
second trainset.

That might depend if their corporate sponsor for the annual promotion could pick up the tab.

CTA's train is marketing. They don't want to run it an an experience. It's a moving billboard spreading holiday cheer at 30mph.

Polar Express is all about making money and exploiting parents who grew up watching that movie and now have their own kids. The licensing company gets their cut, the operating expenses eat up a bunch of the revenue, and these days, there might be something left for the event planners.

I'd much rather see that money spent on a Santa themed train that benefits a preservation group.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk