HEBER CITY — The ride never fails to transport engineer John Rimmasch through a mystical time tunnel to a special whistle-stop in his little-kid memories.
"I see the smoke curling over the cars, and I'm back lying with my head down on the living room rug, watching my toy train go around the Christmas tree," Rimmasch said, hopping down from the No. 618 steam engine that was giving a few, final, satisfied chuffs after completing another wildly popular Polar Express run of the Heber Valley Historic Railroad.
There's a strong physical, as well as metaphysical, reason the "Heber Creeper's" trademark 618 steamer would remind Rimmasch of childhood on this ride, paying homage to Chris Van Allsburg's Christmas classic, "The Polar Express."
"Look at the book cover. That's our engine," said Craig Lacey, the railroad's executive director.
Not only are the engines nearly identical, thousands of kids — young and old — share feelings similar to Rimmasch's aboard the routinely sold-out Polar Express.
It began in 1998 after Lacey attended a Tourist Railroad Association meeting in Rapid City, S.D.
"Crusty old railroaders got teary-eyed talking about how this ride affected people," Lacey said.
Lacey borrowed the idea, starting with three trains. People jammed the cars. Lacey added two more. More cramming. Then two more.
"It sold out in four hours, all word of mouth," Lacey said.
Last year, the Express started with 14 runs and added eight, all packed. It scheduled 28 runs this year, with 5 and 7:30 p.m. weekend departures for the 1 1/2-hour ride to Decker Bay on Deer Creek Reservoir. The week before Christmas, the Express runs every night. The entire season is sold out.
"We're thinking of 40 trains next year," Lacey said.
Hop the Express and you can quickly understand the pull. Not only is Van Allsburg's book interpreted by readers on every car, a gastronomic and interactive theatrical experience unfolds.
That begins with Stephen's Gourmet Hot Chocolate, because the book says, "we drank hot cocoa as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars."
Riders also get a happy mitt-ful of "Mrs. Santa's secret-recipe" double-fudge cookies from Merry Mocha in Midway.
"We chocolate 'em to death on this ride," Lacey said.
Tykes often arrive in pajamas, a la the book. Big kids like this train of thought, also.
"Last year we had a whole car of adults from Salt Lake, all in their PJs," Lacey said.
Being part of the show is some of the fun.
That might mean Casadee Evans, 14, a Wasatch Junior High student —"Twinkle," the elf, on this ride — telling "stupid elf jokes."
"I had breakfast this morning with Frosty the Snowman. What do you think we ate?" Twinkle asks the crowd on Car 250.
Answer: "Snowflakes."
"I love putting smiles on the kids' faces," Evans said.
Many kids like returning the favor. Kelsie Smith, 8, American Fork, took the microphone and told a story about a penguin and a polar bear.
"They play together every day like it's Christmas Day," Kelsie said.
"She just made that up," said Christi Smith, Kelsie's mom, shaking her head. "None of our kids is shy."
Fifteen minutes from the "North Pole," elves hand out 125 copies of the book and readers begin the story.
"It takes 37 people a night to put this on, and it's like five live theaters going at once," said Bob Donahue, Heber Valley Arts Council president and producer for the train's performers.
As Car 7508 rocked to "Here Comes Santa Claus" the train puffed to a suddenly gleaming spot in the Wasatch night.
"Oh, my word! Look over there; who is that?" Tim Christensen, Ogden, cried, as the right jolly old elf, himself, came into view.
Jessica Christensen, 3, plastered her face to the window, eyes wide as the moon over Deer Creek.
Seconds later, Santa was ho-ho-ho-ing down the aisle. In keeping with Van Allsburg's story, he handed out ringerless sleigh bells, which all true believers still hear.
That certainly included the Christensen clan.
"Jessica's eyes just got so big when we pulled up — 'Oh, mommy, there he is!' " Stephanie Christensen, Jessica's mom, said. "This truly brings the book and Christmas to life."
E-mail: gtwyman@desnews.com