Polar Express to operate from Euston, Christmas 2024

[autotank]

mods note - split from here

I see on my social media feeds that a 'Polar Express' experience will operate from Euston this Christmas. Is there really the space in the station or capacity on the tracks to run this? Sounds silly to be running a tourist train operation at Euston at one of the busiest times of year if you ask me, but I'm happy to be proved wrong!

The Experience - THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride London Euston

Experience The Polar Express™ Train Ride at London Euston this December. A magical Christmas train journey bringing the beloved story to life for families.

londonthepolarexpressride.com

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride London. An enchanting theatrical experience based on the 2004 motion picture THE POLAR EXPRESS™ awaits families of all ages at Euston Station this Christmas. This is your chance to don your PJs and dressing gowns as you board The Polar Express™!

Euston Station is the latest addition to THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride by PNP Events, following the success in Wensleydale, South Devon, Kent & Edinburgh which saw over 150,000 guests last year!

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I see on my social media feeds that a 'Polar Express' experience will operate from Euston this Christmas. Is there really the space in the station or capacity on the tracks to run this? Sounds silly to be running a tourist train operation at Euston at one of the busiest times of year if you ask me, but I'm happy to be proved wrong!

The Experience - THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride London Euston

Experience The Polar Express™ Train Ride at London Euston this December. A magical Christmas train journey bringing the beloved story to life for families.

londonthepolarexpressride.com

I'm curious where the train is going to go from Euston. The Polar Express website says the journey will take an hour, and as far as I can see, it doesn't specify a different destination station, so that seems to imply the train will return to Euston. Where could a steam train go to from Euston that would allow it to turn round and be back at Euston an hour later?

 

[John R]

"We plan to travel along the line from Euston and there may need to be movements backwards and forwards due to caribou or frozen lakes."

I wonder whether those delay reasons are already coded into railway systems...

 

[nlogax]

I'm curious where the train is going to go from Euston. The Polar Express website says the journey will take an hour, and as far as I can see, it doesn't specify a different destination station, so that seems to imply the train will return to Euston. Where could a steam train go to from Euston that would allow it to turn round and be back at Euston an hour later?

From the FAQ, "We plan to travel along the line from Euston and there may need to be movements backwards and forwards due to caribou or frozen lakes". I foresee an exciting journey back and forth through Wembley Yard, pausing at the Magic Buddleia Forest for mince pies.

 

[Bletchleyite]

From the FAQ, "We plan to travel along the line from Euston and there may need to be movements backwards and forwards due to caribou or frozen lakes". I foresee an exciting journey back and forth through Wembley Yard, pausing at the Magic Buddleia Forest for mince pies.

Does sound like the makings of one of those "Santa ruined Christmas" debacles, does it not?

 

[John R]

With 5 departures a day, including at 1630 and 1830, it does seem an odd time to be using a busy main line station.

 

[nlogax]

Does sound like the makings of one of those "Santa ruined Christmas" debacles, does it not?

Doesn't it just? I look forward to the customer reviews..

 

[Trackman]

From the FAQ, "We plan to travel along the line from Euston and there may need to be movements backwards and forwards due to caribou or frozen lakes". I foresee an exciting journey back and forth through Wembley Yard, pausing at the Magic Buddleia Forest for mince pies.

I wonder if they have converted Camden rat-hole into Santa's grotto and painted the rats greens to look like elves?

 

[Fenchurch SP]

I'm curious where the train is going to go from Euston. The Polar Express website says the journey will take an hour, and as far as I can see, it doesn't specify a different destination station, so that seems to imply the train will return to Euston. Where could a steam train go to from Euston that would allow it to turn round and be back at Euston an hour later?

North Pole Depot ?

 

[signed]

Where could a steam train go to from Euston that would allow it to turn round and be back at Euston an hour later?

Maybe it will be rear-engined by a diesel and put back in after a turnaround somewhere, there are no circular routes from Euston that I can think of in an hour

 

[takno]

Maybe it will be rear-engined by a diesel and put back in after a turnaround somewhere, there are no circular routes from Euston that I can think of in an hour

I don't see anything in there that says it's going to be steam hauled, or even that you'll be let near the business end of the train to see whether it's steam-hauled or not.

 

[ThameslinkUser]

We plan to operate a steam train however, due to the nature of steam locos we may have to substitute this at the last minute for a diesel loco

 

[signed]

I don't see anything in there that says it's going to be steam hauled

FAQs - THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride London Euston

Here is a list of some of our most frequently asked questions about what to expect on your journey with us on The Polar Express Train Ride.

londonthepolarexpressride.com

We plan to operate a steam train however, due to the nature of steam locos we may have to substitute this at the last minute for a diesel loco.

 

[deltic]

Does sound like the makings of one of those "Santa ruined Christmas" debacles, does it not?

The feedback on their offerings on various heritage lines is generally glowing and 5*

 

[Kite159]

Will it be in true Euston style only be available to board until 2 minutes prior to departure with passengers having to stand around ready for the stampede?

 

[Bletchleyite]

The feedback on their offerings on various heritage lines is generally glowing and 5*

I wonder if they are just acting as an agency with the line providing the actual experience?

Who do we think might provide this - WCRC maybe?

 

[signed]

Who do we think might provide this - WCRC maybe?

PNP Events is written as being the operator of that service

 

[matt]

PNP Events is written as being the operator of that service

I think PNP have been the company behind several of the heritage railways that have run Polar Express events.

Vintage Trains have run one for the last few years from Birmingham.

 

[12LDA28C]

PNP Events is written as being the operator of that service

PNP Events would be the Promoter, not the Operator as they're not a TOC.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Maybe it will be rear-engined by a diesel and put back in after a turnaround somewhere, there are no circular routes from Euston that I can think of in an hour

The Wensleydale run theirs with a kettle on one end and a 47 or 33 on the other - no need for run rounds eating into their money making time after all

 

[nlogax]

The feedback on their offerings on various heritage lines is generally glowing and 5*

Bet these trips on heritage lines are excellent. I'm struggling to see how a festive atmosphere can be conjured up on the suburban WCML but am looking forward to finding out!

 

[12LDA28C]

The Wensleydale run theirs with a kettle on one end and a 47 or 33 on the other - no need for run rounds eating into their money making time after all

Similarly Vintage Trains' PE out of Birmingham Moor Street uses a steam loco (usually on the north end) and diesel (either a 47 or occasionally a 20) on the south end to enable reversing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Aug 2024 ==

Bet these trips on heritage lines are excellent. I'm struggling to see how a festive atmosphere can be conjured up on the suburban WCML but am looking forward to finding out!

They should use steam heat stock. If it's working well you won't be able to see out of the windows anyway.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The pics seem to suggest Mk2s. Presumably CDL will be a requirement.

 

[renegademaster]

Euston charters happen all the time, but usually at silly o'clock in the morning back at silly o'clock at night. I cant remember a charter after 8 am

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Aug 2024 ==

The pics seem to suggest Mk2s. Presumably CDL will be a requirement.

The photos look like the Rivera set ukrailtours use.

 

[fgwrich]

I wonder if they are just acting as an agency with the line providing the actual experience?

Who do we think might provide this - WCRC maybe?

PNP Events would be the Promoter, not the Operator as they're not a TOC.

It'll be the same as the Polar Express in Edinburgh was last Christmas - PNP will be the promotor, while West Coast will be the operator with the partially branded Mk2s from Riviera Trains again. Some still retain the Polar Express branding on the toilet windows from last winter.

 

[The exile]

With 5 departures a day, including at 1630 and 1830, it does seem an odd time to be using a busy main line station.

They do say "we plan". They can plan all they like, but if NR say "no"....

 

[renegademaster]

Does Avanti typically run a full service on Christmas eve?

 

[A S Leib]

Does Avanti typically run a full service on Christmas eve?

Last year, no Avanti services leaving Euston after 18:00. Holyhead services ran, but I don't know if any Edinburgh ones did.

https://www.charlwoodhouse.co.uk/rail/liverail/dep/Eus/13/24/12/23

 

[Backroom_boy]

Has anyone put on a Harry Potter charter from KX? That would clean up

 

[james_the_xv]

Surely that's only going to go as far as Wembley Yard or even Camden Yard? Then towed back by a diesel on the back? No facilities for run rounds at Euston and that's a hell of a lot of capacity used for shunts in and out between shows.