MCRR Cross BarsMCRR Steam Engines

Welcome to the Midwest Central Railroad MCRR History Locomotives Current Projects Past Projects Rolling Stock "Orderboard" Newsletters Gift Shop Current Year Calendar of Events Special Availability Just for kids Become a volunteer Membership Information Related links Scheduled work weekends Contact us Video Links Shop Blog (weblog)

The North Pole Express




The volunteers of the Midwest Central Railroad want to thank everyone who has purchased tickets for this event in the past and have supported the MCRR in its mission "...to preserve and commemorate railway heritage for the educational benefit and enjoyment for current and future generations."

RAILFANS: We have some locomotive specific pictures at the end of this page.

The following chart shows the 2011 trains' departure times and contains links to our picture storage website.

Be sure to refresh the page (Ctrl-R)  for the latest information!

Follow these steps to download your high resolution picture:
1. "Click" on your train time. This will link to the correct folder on our storage website, picasaweb.google.com

2. "Click" on your photo then "click" on the DOWNLOAD button located above the picture.

3. Depending on your web browser, there will be a "pop up" window that will allow you to save the picture.

NOTE: Due to lighting conditions, some pictures are slightly blurred; we apologize for this  inconvenience.
 
Date Day Departure Times (and links to the trains' pictures pages.)
Nov 26, 2011
Saturday
1:00PM3:00PM5:00PM
Dec 2, 2011
Friday 6:00PM8:00PM
Dec 3, 2011
Saturday 11:00AM1:00PM3:00PM5:00PM7:00PM
Dec 4, 2011
Sunday 1:00PM; 3:00 PM; 5:00 PM
Dec 10, 2011
Saturday 11:00AM1:00PM3:00PM5:00PM7:00PM
Dec 11, 2011
Sunday 1:00PM3:00PM5:00PM


"Strike through" times and/or dates indicates the train is sold out, the day's set of trains are sold out, or a chartered train.
    2011 fares are $14.00 per person; Infants 0 to 18 months are free.

What happens at the Midwest Central Railroad's North Pole Express? Scroll through the following portion of the page to find out what happened at North Pole Express 2010.

After parking their cars at the north end of McMillan Park, North Pole Express riders walk towards the North Station.

Barren North Station

Our riders check in with staff to pick up their tickets and learn of their passenger car for the trip to the "North Pole."

Ticket Agent

As the next train's riders start to gather at the North Station, in the distance they hear the rumble from one of several locomotives owned and operated by the MCRR.

For example, in 2010, the 9 (Lima three truck Class C Shay), the 6 (Baldwin 2-6-0), and 14 (Plymouth Locomotive Works diesel) all participated in the NPE trains. 66% of the trains were pulled by the 9, 23% were pulled by the 6, and 11% were pulled by the 14. In a perfect world, all the trains would be pulled by one locomotive, but numerous challenges kept one engine from dominating the action.

Most riders will witness this scene -- the 9 or the 6 chugging up the hill with its passenger cars ready to take riders to the "North Pole."

Locomotive arriving at North Station

This is the view from the fireman's side of the locomotive as it approaches the North Station.

Fireman's view as the train arrives at the North Station Fireman's view as the train arrives at the North Station

A few riders await their companions before boarding the train.

Awaiting boarding

The train crew chat amongst themselves awaiting the last few passengers to board. Our staff is here to insure your well being and enjoyment of the entire North Pole Express experience!

Conductors discuss the next train

The train circles the park at least 1.5 times before pulling into the "North Pole" (usually known as the South Station.).

The snow princess is one of the first sights seen by passengers as they disembark at the "North Pole."

The princess awaits incomming riders.

The children line up to get their chance to visit Santa in the caboose.

The caboose Children in line for Santa

Santa

Santa having his picture taken by a proud parent.

Santa

Leaving the Santa caboose.

Leaving the caboose

It is the "North Pole" and, despite the infrared heaters, it can get a bit cold. Hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies are available for the participants.

Refreshments

Standing in front of a baggage cart loaded with presents, a young rider has a big smile as her parents take a picture.

Gift wagon Child in front of gift wagon

The North Pole has a crafts room where children can make paper ornaments and other items.

Craft room

A well-stocked, railroad-oriented gift shop is available.

Gift Shop

Please e-mail Deb Crouch for more information regarding the North Pole Express 2011.

Each picture (below) links to a larger version. Photos taken at various North Pole Express events.
Use Ctrl-click to open pictures in a new window/tab.

Shay in snow Shay in snow Shay in snow Shay in snow
Shay in snow Shay in snow Shay in snow Shay in snow



 

    

 Midwest Central Railroad  Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641 319−385−2912 (updated 13Dec11)