Polar Express train at Chicago Union Station

[DSS&A]

The Polar Express train has arrived at Union Station. The assigned coaches are different this year. The six coaches are Budd SPV 2000s with a Viewliner 2 full baggage car coupled in the middle of the six cars. GE locomotive #147 was on the head end of the train. The train's consist is as follows:

1623, 1633, 1625, 61049 (baggage), 1675, 1631, 1673 and locomotive GE 147.

 

[John Bredin]

Saw this train tonight as I caught my homebound Metra. Struck me as unusual to see Amfleet cars without Amtrak livery.

 

[Seaboard92]

The cars are owned by the Foxville and Northern Railroad in North Carolina/South Carolina.

I honestly think they have more passenger cars and items then an actual working railroad. I live near them and I barely know anything about them.

I know that they couldn’t get them ready for the knock off new river.

 

[twropr]

Anyone know which line it operated over and where it turned?
Thanks!
Andy

 

[Seaboard92]

I believe the Polar Express isn’t really that long. I believe it shoves to the Canal St Crossing. Pulls back down the thru track, goes to Lumber St. and back to the station.

 

[DSS&A]

I believe the Polar Express isn’t really that long. I believe it shoves to the Canal St Crossing. Pulls back down the thru track, goes to Lumber St. and back to the station.

As a daily commuter into Union Station, I believe you are correct. I have only seen the train either parked on track #1 at the platform or parked on the siding under the buildings between Monroe and Lake streets. The very popular "special show" is inside the train. Trains on platform track #1 have a facing point switch to run directly onto the siding without having to cross Canal Street to perform a back-up train movement.

 

[MikefromCrete]

I believe the Polar Express trains, which are running on a daily basis, operate on Amtrak-owned tracks north and south of Union Station.

 

[user 14106]

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/loc...irst-full-post-pandemic-season/3205905/?amp=1
Back for the first time this year..

 

[Eric in East County]

"The Polar Express" is one of my favorite train books. (The movie version not so much.) I wasn't aware that such an experience was even offered. Do any of the major theme parks offer a Polar Express dark ride similar to Pirates of the Caribbean?

 

[joelkfla]

"The Polar Express" is one of my favorite train books. (The movie version not so much.) I wasn't aware that such an experience was even offered. Do any of the major theme parks offer a Polar Express dark ride similar to Pirates of the Caribbean?

Not that I'm aware, but the Train Ride is a licensed product offered by tourist railroads and museums all around the nation, and even Brightline.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Not that I'm aware, but the Train Ride is a licensed product offered by tourist railroads and museums all around the nation, and even Brightline.

A very expensive license product is my understanding.

 

[user 14106]

Yes there are a few tourist railroads that do polar expresses up my way. This is the Chicago one (and the only one that Amtrak operates - though they just operate the train - it’s put on and organized by a private group.)

 

[jis]

Even Brightline has done Polar Express in the past but given current equipment shoryage to meet demand, they probably won’t do it in the near future.

 

[railiner]

Yes there are a few tourist railroads that do polar expresses up my way. This is the Chicago one (and the only one that Amtrak operates - though they just operate the train - it’s put on and organized by a private group.)

I assume its Amtrak equipment now? Noticed at one time it ran privately owned SPV-2000's...guess those are gone?

 

[joelkfla]

Even Brightline has done Polar Express in the past but given current equipment shoryage to meet demand, they probably won’t do it in the near future.

This is on the website:

 

[SubwayNut]

I know back in 2016, Amtrak also operated (chartered by the same events company) one in New Orleans. Took the City of New Orleans from a Polar Express display in Chicago to one in New Orleans.

 

[user 14106]

I assume its Amtrak equipment now? Noticed at one time it ran privately owned SPV-2000's...guess those are gone?

Yes they use Horizons I think usually.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

It looks like the Polar Express route has started to make an appearance.




And yep, @lordsigma called it. They're using horizons.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Interesting there was a holiday train on the south concourse this weekend. (Saturday)
It was not the polar express that was operating on the north side. The locomotive had seasonal lights on it, and was a commuter train. Some staff was dressed as the Grinch, others with the Santa hats.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

It sounds like that was one of the Metra holiday trains you're referring to.

 

[MikefromCrete]

Interesting there was a holiday train on the south concourse this weekend. (Saturday)
It was not the polar express that was operating on the north side. The locomotive had seasonal lights on it, and was a commuter train. Some staff was dressed as the Grinch, others with the Santa hats.

Metra is also operating holiday trains.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

The Polar Express is no more for 2023 as the dash 8 livery P42 160 is heading south (on #59).