Scrooges need not apply

Debbie Granat knows a little something about trains, Santa and making kids smile.

It's also possible she can recite large portions of "The Polar Express" in her sleep.

Granat is one of the key people behind The Lisle Polar Express Children's Christmas Train that will chug out of the village's downtown station at 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Dec. 2 to take kids and their parents on a magical journey to the North Pole.

No, she doesn't drive the train, but she's almost as important: she's the volunteer coordinator who makes sure there are enough people in all 11 cars to read the story aloud, lead holiday sing-alongs, pass out treats, introduce characters and, oh, yeah, make sure the kids stay in their seats.

"It's a great kick off for the holiday season to watch the kids get all excited," she said. "It's just a lot of fun. It's as much an experience for the volunteers as it is for the people taking the ride."

Tickets for this year's trips are $10 and went on sale Friday at The Book Nook on Main Street, Lisle Savings Bank on Maple Avenue and White Hen Pantry at Main Street and Ogden Avenue.

This is the 12th year The Polar Express has steamed through Lisle, and if you don't know the Chris Van Allsburg story by now, well, Scrooge, you just haven't been paying attention.

Suffice to say, the double-decker Metra commuter train puffs out of Lisle right on time, makes the round-trip to the North Pole -- which a lot of people say looks strikingly like Chicago -- and returns to town all in about 75 minutes, which is pretty close to reindeer speed.

From the moment you step aboard -- and there will be space for 2,000 people this time around -- you're supposed to be transformed into a world of make-believe. That's where Granat's crew comes in.

Several volunteers are assigned to each car and most wear some kind of holiday-themed costume. Their job: Keep everybody entertained throughout the journey.

All of which sounds easy enough until you think about spending 75 minutes in a moving railroad car with a bunch of very, very excited children singing "Jingle Bells" very, very loudly and waiting very, very eagerly for Santa's arrival.

It's not a job for Grinches.

"We do try to get people who are lively and have the Christmas spirit," Granat said.

"You shouldn't go if you're looking for a meditative state," adds Wayne Dunham, an organizer who also plays the role of engineer.

A group of clowns will join the team this year to create a balloon animal for each child. Strolling characters will include Cinderella and Jack Frost. And once everybody arrives at the North Pole, elves will give youngsters their "First Gift of Christmas," a bell cut from a reindeer's harness that pulls Santa's sleigh -- and a note directly from Saint Nick himself.

Despite all that cool stuff, the highlight of every trip for most kids is always the same, Granat says, and it involves the arrival of that chunky guy in a white beard and red suit who smells a little like milk and cookies with just a hint of chimney.

"The kids' eyes get as big as saucers when Santa comes into their car," she said.

Granat, who got involved with The Polar Express thanks to her own kids and has been riding the rails for seven years now, says she still needs helpers. If you're interested in volunteering, give her a call at (630) 882-6740.

"A lot of people come back year after year to help," she said. "Some decorate their cars in unique ways. Some bring boom boxes to help with the carols. We give them a bag of goodies and some instructions, but a lot of it just kind of evolves."

Dunham understands the magic that lures both riders and volunteers back.

"It's the warmest, fuzziest day of the year," he said. "You get to see parents and children getting along and taking pictures and laughing together. For me, it's even better than Christmas."

If you go

What: The Lisle Polar Express Children's Christmas Train

When: Leaves at 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 2 from the downtown Lisle Metra station

Cost: $10

Tickets: Available at The Book Nook on Main Street, Lisle Savings Bank on Maple Avenue and White Hen Pantry at Main Street and Ogden Avenue

Info: (630) 769-1000 or StayInLisle.com

To volunteer: (630) 882-6740