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Kentucky "The Polar Express" Train Rides In Stearns!

Published: November 4, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Tucked into the rolling hills and sandstone bluffs of southern Kentucky, the Big South Fork Scenic Railway offers an evocative journey through coal country history and the wild beauty of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Centered in the historic company town of Stearns, the railway interprets the legacy of the Stearns Coal & Lumber Company and the Kentucky & Tennessee Railway, while treating riders to forested ridgelines, river vistas, and an immersive step back in time. Each year, its calendar blends daytime interpretive excursions with seasonal specials. Among the most beloved have been its holiday productions, including years when it has hosted the officially licensed “The Polar Express Train Ride,” an experience that has drawn families from across the region to celebrate the season on steel rails.

A visit begins at the Stearns Depot, a handsome reminder of the town’s origin story as a planned community for miners and lumbermen. Across the street, the historic company store houses the McCreary County Museum, where exhibits illuminate life in the camps, the engineering feats of early rail builders, and the human stories behind the coal seams. This context makes the trip more than scenery; it’s a living narrative about Appalachian ingenuity and grit.

The railway’s signature daytime excursion travels deep into the gorge to Blue Heron, a former coal mining camp also known as Mine 18. There, the National Park Service has preserved the site as an open-air museum with “ghost structures” that outline the shapes of the tipple, bathhouse, and other buildings, augmented by recorded oral histories from former residents. The train winds through hardwood forests, along high embankments and rock cuts, then drops hundreds of feet in elevation to reach the river valley—a dramatic reminder of the steep grades and rugged terrain the original railroad had to conquer. In spring, wildflowers carpet the understory; in summer, the canopy is lush; and in fall, the hills explode with color. Wildlife sightings—deer, wild turkey, and the occasional bald eagle—are not uncommon.

While the heritage excursion offers natural grandeur and historical depth, it’s the holiday season that transforms the Big South Fork Scenic Railway into something even more enchanting. In years when the railway has offered The Polar Express Train Ride—an officially licensed immersive experience based on Chris Van Allsburg’s classic book and the beloved Warner Bros. film—the Stearns Depot and vintage coaches are dressed in lights, garlands, and festive trim. Families arrive in cozy pajamas, clutching golden tickets as music from the soundtrack mixes with the sound of air brakes and the glow of platform lanterns.

The magic unfolds from the moment you board. Chefs and car hosts dance down the aisle with trays of hot chocolate and cookies, while a dramatic reading of The Polar Express story is piped through the cars. The narrative becomes a choreography of sights and sounds outside the windows: twinkling lights, winter woodland silhouettes, and the hush that only a nighttime train ride can deliver. Children follow along with their books as characters come to life, and the car fills with sing-alongs and delighted chatter.

Onboard, the production is interactive and theatrical. Conductors punch each child’s ticket with flourish. Chefs lead call-and-response merriment and invite families to hum along to familiar carols. The ride culminates at a “North Pole” tableau where Santa himself appears. In keeping with tradition, he boards the train, visiting each car to greet passengers and present every child with a silver bell—the first gift of Christmas. It’s hard to overstate the impact of this simple gesture; the bell has become a cherished keepsake for countless families, something that reappears on mantels and Christmas trees for years to come.

The Polar Express Train Ride experiences are designed to be accessible and welcoming. Trips typically run on select dates from mid-November into December, with multiple departures most evenings to accommodate families with younger children and those seeking a later, more atmospheric ride. Ticket classes often include standard coach and upgraded options that may feature more spacious seating or additional amenities. In all cases, the heart of the experience is the storytelling, music, and personal interaction that make the night feel special.

For practical planning, a few tips help the evening go smoothly. Plan to arrive early to allow time for parking, picking up or scanning tickets, and enjoying the decorations at the depot. The cars are heated, but winter nights in the Kentucky highlands can be brisk; layers, warm footwear, and hats are smart choices for platform waits and photo ops outdoors. Pajamas are encouraged for kids and adults alike, but bring a coat. If someone in your party has mobility needs, inquire about accessible seating when booking—heritage equipment can have constraints, and the staff will do their best to accommodate. Strollers are usually best left in vehicles due to tight aisles and limited storage space. Photography is welcome, though be mindful of onboard lighting and other passengers when using flash.

The Stearns Depot area often features concessions and gift counters with branded souvenirs, including holiday ornaments and Polar Express keepsakes when that production is offered. Local businesses in and around Stearns, Whitley City, and Somerset round out the experience with restaurants, bakeries, and lodging. For a full weekend, consider combining the train ride with daytime adventures in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area—hiking Twin Arches, viewing Yahoo Falls, or exploring overlooks along Scenic Kentucky 92. Even a short winter woodland walk can feel magical when paired with an evening train ride.

It’s worth noting that special events and offerings can vary by year. Heritage railroads depend on equipment availability, staffing, licensing, and coordination with the National Park Service and county partners. For that reason, always check the Big South Fork Scenic Railway’s official website and social channels for the current season’s schedule, pricing, and policies. The Polar Express Train Ride is a registered trademark of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Rail Events Inc., and only participating railroads offer the official, licensed program; when Stearns hosts it, you’ll see it clearly announced with booking links and dates. If a different holiday train is on the calendar, expect the same warm hospitality, joyful music, and a visit from Santa crafted to fit the railway’s unique character.

Behind the scenes, the Big South Fork Scenic Railway is more than entertainment. It’s a preservation project and an economic engine for McCreary County. Ticket revenue supports maintenance of vintage rolling stock, track, and facilities, and it helps fund ongoing historical interpretation at Blue Heron and the museum in Stearns. Every passenger who steps aboard helps keep the region’s rail heritage alive—an act of stewardship that ensures future generations can experience the sound of a horn echoing off a winter hillside and the rhythmic sway that is unlike any other form of travel.

In an era when holiday traditions can feel hurried and commercial, a night on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway offers something enduring: time together, shared wonder, and the simple thrill of a train journey through the dark toward a brightly lit destination. Whether you come for the history, the scenery, or the sparkle of The Polar Express Train Ride when it’s offered, you’ll leave with a bell that rings true and a story your family will tell again and again. For dates, tickets, and the latest event details, visit the railway’s official site and book early—these trains fill fast, and the memories are worth every mile.