Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
BEDFORD – It might have been 85 degrees outside, but inside the StoneGate Arts & Education Center, Natalie McPeak and Ryan Freed were skipping and singing Christmas carols like it was Christmas Eve.
The two Orleans teenagers were auditioning to be elves for this year’s Polar Express Train Ride, an annual holiday train excursion presented by the French Lick Scenic Railway.
Auditions took place this week at five southern Indiana locations. Actors to play elves, stewards, conductors and Santas are needed for the 67 performances of the Polar Express Train Ride, a live interactive, theatrical show based on the film by Warner Bros. and the book by Chris Van Allsburg.
The train excursion brings thousands of visitors to French Lick each Christmas season.
Kayla Best, business manager for French Lick Scenic Railway, said nearly 64,000 passengers experienced the Polar Express Train Ride in 2024, the most in the excursion’s history.
The popularity of the experience has not slowed down since the first Polar Express Train Ride in 2010, Best said.
“In 2010, when we started this event, we knew people would bring their children, what we didn’t know was that 15 years later, those kids who came as older kids are bringing their kids and now you have three generations that come together and it becomes a family tradition. We have a lot of returning guests who have been with us since the beginning,” she said.
The target market is about a three-hour radius from Orange County. Outside of Indiana, Best said guests come from Louisville, Nashville, Cincinnati and Chicago.
Just a few years ago, the Polar Express recorded about 40,000 passengers. To accommodate the growing demand, Best said additional train cars were added in 2024.
“In 2023, our capacity was 726 passengers per departure for Polar Express,” she said. “In 2024, it increased to about 980 passengers per departure. 2025 capacity will be roughly identical.”
Planning for Polar starts in January and Best said it never really takes a break. About 150 people are involved in the performances – 100 of them are actors. There are parts for children, teens and adults.
Best said auditions have always been held in Orange County and Jasper. This year, audition locations were added in Bedford, Martin County and Salem. The final audition is Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Washington County Theatre in Salem.
“This year we branched out to different counties to get more people involved, get our name out there and know that these are paid acting roles. It’s a great job for a teenager, it’s very fun. All of us started as performers,” she said of her co-workers.
Best started as a member of the Polar Express photography team in 2010 and became events coordinator in 2015 before becoming business manager.
There’s no mistaking when the Polar Express is running. Families are everywhere dressed in matching pajamas, restaurants are full and traffic is heavy.
“We work closely with French Licks and they’ve told us how busy they are with families getting ice cream and coffee before or after their ride,” she said.
Best said several businesses will extend their business hours on Saturdays and Sundays when the trains are running because many visitors arrive early to shop and eat or linger afterwards.
“We know it’s affecting the overall economy in town for the positive,” Best said.
In addition to Polar Express, the French Lick Railway also offers other family-friendly excursions such as the Easter Bunny Express and adult excursions that are paired with food and drink themes.
Polar Express details
The trip lasts about 75 minutes. Ticket prices range from $35 to $110.
There are still tickets remaining for this year, but Best said Polar Express typically sells out by the end of September. French Lick Railway has partnerships with local lodging establishments. Families who can’t get tickets via French Lick Scenic Railway can purchase tickets from local Airbnbs, the French Lick Resort and cabins that package Polar Express with an overnight stay. Information about the Polar Express Train Ride and tickets can be found here.
The 2025 Polar Express runs from Nov. 1 until Dec. 23.