Metra puts popular Polar Express event on ice

For the first time since 1996, Lisle resident Jack Kelly will have no reason to dust off his Polar Express Conductor costume. His train won't be leaving the station this year.

Metra and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway have canceled their popular Polar Express and Santa Train programs this year.

Spokesmen from neither rail company returned messages left for them Tuesday afternoon, but an e-mail sent to event coordinator Wayne Dunham from Metra contract manager Tammie Matteson on Oct. 3 confirmed the cancellation.

"I wanted you and the others to know as soon as possible that unfortunately, we have to cancel all Polar Express trains," Matteson wrote. "The BNSF does not have the necessary additional train crews as they have in the past and are not putting on additional trains. The remaining Metra districts have also canceled our annual Operation Lifesaver Santa trains for the same reason."

Kelly, 78, who has played the conductor on the Lisle trains for 13 years, said he was bitter that the popular program would be canceled despite having signed a contract with Metra in July.

During each of the previous 12 years, the 11-car double-decker Metra commuter train re-created the trip recounted in the award-winning children's book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg.

Kelly would help children - and Santa - board the train and collect their tickets. During the 75-minute ride, children would visit with Santa and volunteers would read the book to children.

"It's October, and we already know Metra is playing Scrooge this year," Kelly said. "I feel really bad for the children, but it also takes away a bit of my holiday spirit because I really enjoyed dressing up and making the children smile."

Kelly said five Santas (one for each car) have already been paid, gifts for the children ordered and more than 500 ticket orders have already been mailed to Dunham.

"They claim that it's because of a shortage of crews and equipment they had to cancel the trains, but that's malarkey because we're paying more money this year than in the past," Kelly said. "If they would have told us last June or July we wouldn't have gone ahead and had tickets printed or hired the Santas. Talk about a poor public relations ploy. I am very bitter."

In neighboring Naperville, the local Jaycees met Tuesday night to discuss the related cancellation of their annual Santa Train fundraiser for charity.

"This is a holiday favorite for many Naperville families, and we are sad we will not be able to partner with Metra on this event in 2008," said Naperville Jaycee President Paul DeKruiff. "We do, however, understand the limitations that this economy has put on Metra and hope to continue with this successful event in the future,"

Neither community has yet made alternate holiday event plans.