Santa and his elves wave to Polar Express passengers as they pass by the “North Pole” in Chehalis on Friday, Dec. 19.
The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum (CCRM) has wrapped up a successful season of its beloved Polar Express train rides, celebrating a festive experience that took passengers to the “North Pole” a remarkable 48 times over a span of 15 days. According to CCRM President Mary Kay Nelson, the final weekend of the Polar Express, which concluded on December 22, 2023, saw overwhelming demand, with tickets selling out by early November.
The Polar Express began its journey from the CCRM on November 15, operating every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the holiday season. In total, the railroad sold 4,263 tickets, generating a gross revenue of $366,105. Nelson noted that even during the last weekend, there were still customers eager to board the festive train, prompting plans for expansion in the future.
“We had such popular demand. Up to the last day, people wanted tickets for The Polar Express,” stated Nelson in an interview with local media. With the goal of accommodating more passengers in the coming years, the CCRM is negotiating to acquire an additional passenger car from the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, which will add 60 more seats per ride. This 1950s passenger car is expected to enhance capacity for the 2026 Christmas season.
Despite hopes to introduce the new car for this year’s Polar Express, logistical issues prevented a timely transfer. Nelson explained that the necessary superload transfer permit from the Washington State Department of Transportation was not obtained in time, delaying the project until the ground dries in the spring.
Revenue from the Polar Express plays a critical role in the CCRM’s financial health, accounting for approximately half of its annual budget. This funding is essential for maintaining railroad tracks and repairing museum trains and passenger cars. Nelson expressed gratitude towards her dedicated staff, primarily volunteers, for their hard work in making the Polar Express a reality this year.
“It’s a huge teamwork effort. It’s a pretty long season and it’s a huge commitment from our people,” she remarked. The production and direction of this year’s event were overseen by Tina Nixon and Lisa George, with Dustin Haight serving as the conductor. Over 20 volunteer actors brought to life characters such as the hero boy, hobo, chefs, dancers, elves, and, of course, Santa.
Looking ahead, the CCRM is already preparing for its 2026 season, which will launch in February with Sweetheart Valentine’s Dinner train rides. Other events on the calendar include the Easter Eggspress in April, leading up to another anticipated run of The Polar Express next December. The full schedule for the 2026 season will be released in January.
The CCRM operates approximately 10 miles of train tracks that extend into western Lewis County from its base in Chehalis. The museum’s trains are pulled by a vintage 1940s General Electric Diesel locomotive known as Engine No. 6, which was rebuilt in 1965. The museum also aims to restore the Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade No. 15, a 1916 Baldwin 2-8-2 Mikado steam engine that has been out of service since 2019 due to a failed boiler that requires an estimated $1 million in repairs.
Additionally, the CCRM houses another steam engine, the 1917 Baldwin 2-8-0, known as No. 25, which also requires extensive repairs before it can return to service. The museum remains hopeful for the day when both steam engines can once again operate on the tracks.
For more information about the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum and its upcoming events, visit their official website at steamtrainride.com or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/steamtrainride.
