N.C. Transportation Museum cancels its Polar Express ride for 2020

The N.C. Transportation Museum has announced that its popular Polar Express is canceled for 2020. In a press release, the museum called it a "difficult decision."

"The N.C. Transportation Museum is currently open with capacity limitations for exhibit buildings, while train and turntable rides are suspended. Uncertainty remains regarding limits to museum operations over the next three months, including our ability to offer an on-site train ride," according to the press release.

"We have remained in close contact with our event partners, sought advice from industry leaders, and discussed ways to hold a scaled down event," the release says. "While numerous adjustments and alternate offerings were considered, the two factors that guided our decision were the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, and maintaining the integrity of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride that the public has come to expect."

The annual event is the museum's largest fundraiser. More than 60,000 people travel to the museum over 22 event days for a reenactment of the beloved Christmas story during a train ride. Children are invited to wear their pajamas and get to meet Santa too.

"Any support you are able to provide to the N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation will be greatly appreciated," the press release said. "In the meantime, all of us at the N.C. Transportation Museum and the N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation will continue to look forward to creating magical holiday experiences once again with the 2021 edition of The Polar Express Train Ride."