The Polar Express is one of those things I would see scattered across facebook that made me so excited to have kids someday. Being a thirty something first time Mom, I had to wait my turn to experience that Christmas magic as a family. It was worth the wait! It was so much more than I imagined.

The Potomac Eagle’s History

The Potomac Eagle has a history dating back to 1875. While the original brainchild of a group of Kanawha County residents of a track spanning from the Kentucky border crossing Cabell, Wayne, Putnam, Kanawha, Braxton, Clay, Webster, Upshur, Randolph, Pendleton, Hardy and Hampshire counties to the Maryland border never came to fruition, in 1884 the track we know today from Green Spring to Romney did.

Despite the changes in ownership through the years, passenger abandonment in 1928, and complete abandonment in the 1970s the tracks were taken over by the state of West Virginia in 1978. After extensive track rehabilitation an industry, 2,600 jobs, and the potential for growth was saved.

In 1989 the Romney Business and Professional Organization brought the Potomac Eagle as the tourist train we know today to the area. You can now take “the scenic route” on a restored locomotive and cars that originated in the early 1950s.

The Polar Express

Every year for the Christmas season the Potomac Eagle transforms to The Polar Express (as most of us call it – formally known as The North Pole Express) transporting passengers from Romney to Santa’s home in the North Pole. Along the trip you will experience a slew of characters and eventually the big jolly man himself!

Let’s Get This Party Started

You will begin your journey with milk, cookies baked by Mrs. Claus, and a history of Christmas traditions brought by immigrants who made West Virginia their home. As someone who is obsessed with ancestry, heritage, culture, and traditions I really loved that part.

Your Hosts

Along with the stunning scenery outside your windows, you will meet an entire cast of characters. You’ll begin with the story of The Nutcracker. Not only will you get to see the book, but the story comes alive as it’s told in the aisle beside you. The woman in the photo above holding the book is the ACTUAL spirit of Christmas. She is AMAZING and brought so much energy to our trip.

Santa? I Know Him.

When you arrive to the North Pole, in the distance, you will see Santa and Mrs. Claus surrounded by some elves on a sugar high in their… wait for it… FARMHOUSE! This was the most West Virginia thing ever. My Joanna Gaines loving heart did a happy dance.

As the train reaches is destination and prepares to make its way back to the station you see Santa zip by the windows on a festive AF side by side. Maybe it was a golf cart? Either way, he’s booking it. The announcement is then made the Santa is on the train. It’s exciting as all get out.

You’ll then begin to rock out to all the Christmas greats. The whole train sang. It was a vibe!

SANTA! SANTA! SANTA!

Before Santa enters your car the HYPE is real. Everyone is cheering and chanting. Santa then makes his big entrance. He greets every child. He gives them a giant candy cane if they’ve been good. Rob got a lump of coal. The facts check out.

It was a wonderful time! I think I just expected a train ride, maybe some Christmas music, and a Santa appearance up the aisle. It was SO much more! If you have a Christmas or train loving kid you will not be dissapointed. You don’t even have to have a kid, if you love Christmas, trains, or West Virginia scenery you will love it!

But That’s Not All

There’s an EVENT BARN! You have food options, fire pits, smores kits, coloring, and live music. I did not expect a barn at a train station. It was SO beautiful. Fun fact; one of my goals in life is to have an event barn.

And a Live Nativity

It was great to see the heart of Christmas intertwined with the whimsy. I don’t care how “basic” some sheep, goats, and a donkey are. I will lose my 💩 every single time!

Make a Weekend Out of It

If you’re traveling from the southern part of the state like me, make a weekend out of it. You could do it in a day, but it would be rough. Check out Romney, or any of the nearby towns. We stayed at an airbnb in Keyser, and it slapped!

It was my first time in the eastern panhandle. It was so beautiful! I love how all regions of our state are essentially the same, but different. The Potomac Highlands just hit different, yall!

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Feel free to correct me if I mistold any of the train’s history. I found it a little hard to follow, and summarized it the best that I could. I am always willing to learn!