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New York "The Polar Express" Train Rides In Medina!

Published: November 10, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Set inside one of the largest surviving wooden freight depots in the United States, the Medina Railroad Museum in Medina, New York is both a time capsule of railroading’s golden years and a lively hub for scenic excursions that bring the rails to life.

Located between Buffalo and Rochester in Orleans County, the museum blends historic preservation, immersive exhibits, and seasonal train rides to create an experience that appeals to families, rail enthusiasts, and casual visitors alike.

Among its most beloved offerings are the official The Polar Express train rides each holiday season, which transform a Western New York shortline into a rolling stage for storybook magic.

History in a landmark depot

The story of the museum is inseparable from its building. Constructed in the early 1900s for the New York Central Railroad, the long, timber-framed freight depot once thrummed with the movement of goods along the “Falls Road” segment that paralleled the Erie Canal.

Freight depots like this were the economic backbone for communities across upstate New York, handling everything from agricultural produce to manufactured goods. As highway trucking displaced much of that traffic in the twentieth century, facilities like Medina’s were retired or demolished. Medina’s depot survived, a testament to the sturdiness of the region’s building traditions and the community’s commitment to its railroad heritage.

In the late 1990s, local preservationists and railfans formalized efforts to save the depot and interpret rail history for the public. The Medina Railroad Museum opened as a nonprofit, with a mission to preserve the building, collect and display railroad artifacts, and run excursion trains that would reconnect people with the sounds, sights, and rhythms of rail travel.

Volunteers and supporters steadily expanded the collection and restored the interior, turning the cavernous freight space into an exhibition hall that showcases both the railroad and the town’s broader industrial past.

What you’ll see inside

Visitors are greeted by a sweeping, open hall lined with historical displays: lanterns and signals, telegraph instruments, uniforms and tools, timetables and posters, and countless photographs that trace the evolution of railroading across Western New York.

One of the museum’s centerpieces is a large HO-scale model railroad layout that evokes the region’s towns, industries, and landscapes. The layout, with its intricate scenery and operating trains, is as much a teaching tool as a visual spectacle, helping younger visitors grasp how railroads knit communities together.

Beyond rail-specific artifacts, the museum also houses regional memorabilia that situates the railroad in the wider story of Medina and Orleans County.

The town’s identity—shaped by the Erie Canal, Medina sandstone quarries, agriculture, and small manufacturing—interweaves naturally with the railroad narrative. That broader context makes a visit feel like more than a specialty museum; it’s a window into how transportation, industry, and community developed hand in hand.

From static displays to living history: excursion trains

The museum’s exhibits are only half the experience. The other half rolls right past the depot doors. Partnering with the shortline that operates the historic “Falls Road” corridor, the museum organizes themed excursion trains for much of the year.

These trips generally depart from the museum and travel through the picturesque farm fields, villages, and canal country of Western New York, offering a relaxed way to see the landscape from an uncommon vantage point.

While specific schedules and routes vary by season and year, the lineup traditionally includes spring and summer outings, popular fall foliage runs, Halloween-themed rides, and holiday trains.

Cars are typically pulled by diesel locomotives, with volunteer docents and uniformed crew on board to answer questions and keep the experience on schedule and on theme. Excursion revenues help fund the museum’s preservation work, while the trains themselves bring the mission to life in a way static displays never can.

A spotlight on The Polar Express Train Ride

The seasonal highlight for many families is the official The Polar Express Train Ride, produced in cooperation with Rail Events Inc., the licensed operator of experiences inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved book and the Warner Bros. film. On select dates in November and December, the Medina Railroad Museum transforms its excursion consists into a page-by-page re-creation of the story, with the rails themselves serving as the narrative track.

A typical evening begins with excited passengers—often in pajamas, just like the story—finding their seats as chefs and conductors welcome them aboard.

Once underway, the experience blends live storytelling and music with the signature elements fans expect: hot chocolate and cookies served at your seat, conductors punching the “golden tickets,” and a journey to a “North Pole” tableau where Santa makes his grand appearance.

On the return leg, Santa visits each car to greet children and present a small keepsake—commonly a silver bell, echoing the story’s central theme of belief. Depending on the class of service selected, passengers may receive additional amenities or seating arrangements.

Because it is an official production, The Polar Express Train Ride at Medina follows the high standards and recognizable format that families have come to expect nationwide, while still reflecting the museum’s local flavor and the unique character of the Falls Road line.

Dates often sell out quickly, particularly on peak December weekends, so early booking is strongly recommended. Specific details—train times, classes of service, parking, accessibility, and whether museum admission is included with your ticket—can vary by season; the museum’s website's provide the most current information.

Community, education, and preservation

As a nonprofit organization, the Medina Railroad Museum relies on a blend of ticket sales, memberships, donations, and volunteer support. School groups and scouts visit for hands-on learning about transportation, engineering, and local history. Special programs and group tours can be arranged, making the museum a resource for educators seeking experiential learning outside the classroom.

Behind the scenes, volunteers help with everything from exhibit curation to car maintenance. Keeping vintage passenger equipment ready for public excursions is a continual process that involves mechanical upkeep, interior refurbishment, and compliance with safety standards. That steady, often invisible work is what allows the museum to offer safe and comfortable rides in all seasons, including the heavy demand of the holiday period.

Planning your visit
Medina is an easy day trip from Buffalo, Rochester, or the Finger Lakes. The museum sits close to the village’s historic Main Street and the Erie Canal, making it convenient to pair a museum visit with local dining, shopping, or a canal-side stroll. Hours and open days vary seasonally, so it’s wise to check before you go. If you’re attending a special excursion such as The Polar Express, plan to arrive early to park, pick up or present tickets, get oriented, and enjoy the exhibits before boarding if time allows.

For families with young children, strollers and snacks are common considerations; for train rides, keep in mind that restrooms and concessions are usually available on board, but policies can change by event. Those needing accessibility accommodations should review details in advance or contact the museum for assistance. As with any popular seasonal event, flexibility and patience help make the experience more enjoyable.

Why it matters
The Medina Railroad Museum is more than a collection of artifacts or a venue for themed train rides. It’s a living link to how railroads powered the growth of upstate New York and how that legacy still shapes the region’s identity. Standing inside the vast wooden depot, you can almost hear the echo of freight wagons, the clang of couplers, and the buzz of telegraph keys. Climbing aboard an excursion, you feel the gentle sway of the rails and see the landscape the way generations before did.

And during The Polar Express Train Ride, you witness something else: the way a good story, shared in the right setting, can suspend time and make belief tangible. In that sense, the museum does exactly what great museums and great community institutions should do—it connects past and present, education and entertainment, local pride and shared wonder. Whether you’re a dedicated railfan or simply looking for a memorable day out, Medina offers a rare combination: history you can touch and memories you can ride.