They were given tickets to ride the train for the B&O Railroad Museum’s cherished Polar Express Experience through an effort organized by UMB’s Office of Community and Civic Engagement.
A historic train rattled down the tracks, windows frosty and the ground blanketed with a dusting of snow from the night before. Christmas music accompanied the hum of the engine.
Inside, chefs in white hats bopped and danced up and down the aisle as they passed out sugar cookies and cups of hot chocolate. The train, packed with Baltimore families, was aglow with the warm wash of Christmas lights.
It would be easy to be fooled, but the train wasn’t on its way to the North Pole — instead, the trip went along the B&O Railroad Museum line.
But the magic inside could change any nonbeliever’s mind.
On Dec. 6, 2025, children and families from West Baltimore were given tickets to ride the train for the B&O Railroad Museum’s cherished Polar Express Experience through an effort organized by the Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).
For 9-year-old Kennedy Gudger of Baltimore getting to hear the recitation of “The Polar Express” book while riding the train and drinking hot chocolate was the best part. She and her sister, Savannah, 2, attended the holiday event with their parents, Kenneth Grudger and Samantha Shivers-Gudger.
“I think coming here period [is my favorite part],” Shivers-Gudger said. “We were looking forward to it since we were told about it. Being able to bring the girls out and come out as a family, it was just very exciting.”
Both Kennedy and Savannah got photos with Santa and were able to share what they wanted this year for Christmas.
“I asked for more Legos, because I love Legos,” Kennedy said, adding that she couldn’t wait to go home and watch “The Polar Express” movie again.