(Carson City, Nev.) — The enchanting appeal of The Polar Express has spread to Carson City and has families planning ahead for the holiday season. After merely three weeks, 3,000, or 40 percent of Virginia & Truckee Railroad’s (www.VisitCarsonCity.com) Polar Express™ tickets have been sold, with 4,500 tickets remaining.

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad is one of a handful of officially licensed Polar Express Train Ride events nationwide this holiday season, Nov. 25 – Dec. 18.

The enormous response behind the pre-sell has Carson City tourism officials abuzz. “The holiday season has arrived early,” said Candy Duncan, Executive Director of the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. “To learn we’ve sold this many tickets in this short of time tells us there’s going to be a lot of new faces in town for the weekends leading up to Christmas.”

Hotel and lodging establishments have also caught wind of the news and have lent a hand to spread the cheer. Gold Dust West in Carson City is offering a $49 Express Room Package in promotion of the holiday train festivities. Best Western Carson Station Hotel and Plaza Hotel & Conference Center is offering a $59 Polar Express weekend special room rate. While staying at the Best Western families can access the movie on their house channel. Any guest who shows their Polar Express ticket at the Carson City Courtyard by Marriot or Hampton Inn and Suites will receive a discounted room rate.

The Polar Express™ train rides are based on the holiday feature film from Warner Bros. Pictures and the beloved children’s book, by Chris Van Allsburg, about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad has partnered with Rail Events Inc. (through Warner Brothers Consumer Products, Inc.) to bring the officially licensed train ride event to Carson City this holiday season.

On board, the historic decorated diesel train will include the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, pajama clad passengers will relive the magic of the story as this nighttime train whisks families away for an unforgettable ride to the North Pole. During the journey, the Conductor will punch tickets and chefs will serve hot chocolate, followed by a recorded reading of the book. At the North Pole, Santa will board the train, greet children and their parents and pass out gifts of silver sleigh bells. Official Polar Express photos with Santa Claus will be available for purchase at the depot.

The train leaves the Carson City Eastgate Depot (located seven miles east of Downtown Carson City) and travels nearly two miles before staging at Santa’s mythical North Pole retreat. The Polar Express™ departs Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., or 8:30 pm Nov. 25 – Dec. 18.

Early reservations are recommended due to the universal popularity of the attraction, as these trains are selling out quickly.Tickets include keepsake silver bell, hot chocolate, cookies, entertainment and reading of Polar Express. Tickets are free for children two and under, $25 for ages 3-12 and $34 for 13 and older. To book tickets in advance call (775) 687-7410 or online: (http://vttrain.activitytickets.com/activity/83).
For more information on the travel deals, dining, lodging, activity information and further details on the V&T train, visit www.VisitCarsonCity.com or call 800-Nevada-1.