Polar Express back on track

Lisle's Polar Express and the Naperville Jaycees' Santa Train will make their annual holiday treks after all.

Metra officials confirmed Wednesday the popular children's attractions are back on schedule after a "communication glitch" led organizers to cancel plans for both events.

Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway officials told Metra earlier this year that the railway would not be accommodating any new special trains. Metra officials took that to mean there would not be trains available for the Polar Express or Santa Train runs.

"We did not realize that BNSF considered these two routes as existing and not new. This was a communications issue and something that's been resolved because those trains will run," Pardonnet said. "There is a lot of tradition behind these trains and BNSF has agreed to continue that tradition."

Jack Kelly, 78, who has played the conductor on the Lisle trains for 12 years, said he was bitter when the program was canceled but he considered Wednesday's news "an early Christmas present to myself and the children."

"I'm just elated about this," Kelly said. "I am just tickled pink and grinning ear to ear."

During each of the past 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 helps children and Santa board the train and collect their tickets. During the 75-minute ride, children can visit with Santa and volunteers read the book to children.

"I'll holler 'All aboard!' with a much bigger smile this year," he said.

In neighboring Naperville, the Jaycees celebrated the return of their Santa Train program on Dec. 6

"We just got the news and it's wonderful," said Jaycee President Paul DeKruiff. "We're just so darned pleased this is going to happen. It's all wonderful."

The one-hour train rides will depart from Naperville's Fifth Avenue Train Station and feature holiday characters, sing-a-longs and a visit from Santa Claus.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=242813">Metra puts popular Polar Express event on ice <span class="date">[10/15/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>