The Beaches Museum recently held its Beaches North Pole Express holiday event, highlighting one of the museum’s favorite exhibitions, the 1911 Train Engine. The two-day event took place Friday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 25-ton steam locomotive was built back in 1911 and operated near Lacoochee, Florida. In 1981 it was donated to the Beaches Museum and is now displayed near the original location of the Jacksonville and Atlantic Railroad tracks, which became the Florida East Coast Railway.
During the North Pole Express event, residents and children were able to board the historic locomotive and learn firsthand its inner operations and history from a volunteer Conductor.
Additionally, patrons were invited to write and mail their letters to Santa, enjoy hot coca and cookies and watch the movie “The Polar Express” in the Dickinson Gallery. Crafts and train rides were also available at the History Park.
