The North Pole in Thomaston

he popular children's book Polar Express became a reality when five train loads of area children, numbering well into the high hundreds,  journeyed from Rockland to the “North Pole” to see Santa's home and workshop shortly before Christmas of 2005.  The trips took place over two December nights. The Thomaston Historical Society building was temporarily transformed into an incredibly convincing North Pole structure where elves worked building toys and Mr. and Mrs. Claus came out of their “house” and joined the children on the train, greeting each child.

        Even Mother Nature helped  by producing a deep and lovely fresh snowfall just in time to transform the area into a winter wonderland.

        Local volunteers, high school and middle school students, including a large group of girl scouts, dressed in costumes and were transformed into Santa's elves.  Santa and Mrs. Claus (Ed Basco and Peg McCrea) interacted with each train load of children who were transported between the two towns on Maine Eastern trains run by their crews who donated the trains, fuel and workers to make these trips possible. Everything was donated and many people worked long hours to create this fantasy. The modest fees charged to take the trip all benefited the Rockland Toy Library.

       
        The event was such a success that it will become an annual happening and the Society, through membership donations, will begin to sponsor trips for children who can not afford the small fee charged beginning in 2006.

Children, who a moment before were gazing out the windows, are surprised to discover that the North Pole residents have come aboard the train to meet them in person.