Michigan's Holiday Favorite! North Pole Express Train Set to Run

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"Though I've Grown Old, The Bell Still Rings For Me. As It Does For All Those Who Truly Believe."

-The Polar Express

There's something about Christmas that brings out the child in all of us...and a little bit of magic too. In Michigan, that magic comes alive each year thanks to one pretty famous train.

The Steam Railroading Institute (SRI) has announced that things were a go for the North Pole Express to run once again this November and December. The special holiday ride is one of the most popular in Michigan every year. Tickets to board the Pere Marquette 1225 train, which is the train that Hollywood modeled the Polar Express after.

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The special holiday ride is one of the most popular in Michigan every year. Tickets to board the Pere Marquette 1225 train, which is the train that Hollywood modeled the Polar Express after. In fact, the train has recently been "the star" of a new movie that was filmed right here in Michigan.

The experience has riders leaving Owosso and making a stop in the Village of Ashley. Tickets include a Christmas party with a visit from the man himself...Santa. The train, which will leave from Owosso, will begin running on November 18 and then continue every weekend before Christmas.

What are the dates for the North Pole Express 2023?

There are 11 scheduled dates for the 2023 North Pole Express and all are on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. After the initial ride on November 18th, the SRI will run the express every Saturday and Sunday at the same times through December 17th. There will also be a special ride on the Friday after Thanksgiving at 2:00 p.m.

When do tickets go on sale for the North Pole Express?

Tickets for this year's North Pole Express will go on sale at noon on Tuesday, July 25th. Tickets must be exclusively booked on the website, but you want to act fast. Traditionally tickets for the train sell out quickly each year.

To get more information and purchase tickets click here.

The House That Cereal Built - Step Inside the Kellogg Mansion

Taking a peek into the Kellogg Mansion is like stepping back in time. The home, built in 1925 was originally known as the Villa Marina in Dunedin Isles.

William Kellogg, who founded the Michigan-based Kellogg's company only lived in the sprawling mansion for about three years (during the winter months) before his death in 1951. Eventually, the home succumbed to structural damage and was demolished a few years ago.

In addition to the photos below, you can take a virtual tour of the home using virtual reality. A news story highlighting the University of Florida's program is included below.