With the release of The Polar Express movie next November, I am curious what the implications will be for rail museums or tourist railroads who want to operate "The Polar Express" train on their line.

So, first question is directed to those operating museum railroads or tourist railroads that have operated Polar Express train in the past: what release(s) or authority did you have to obtain to operate your special Polar Express trains? How was this release obtained and from whom?

Follow-on question is directed to whomever can answer it. With the release of the movie does anyone have a feel yet whether a release or authority will be required from Warner Brothers? This second part may not yet be known. I have been told that the legal ramifications arising out of the movie may prohibit museum and tourist railroads from operating Polar Express trains.

Thoughts, ideas and any info would be appreciated. Replies can be sent direct to me.

Thanks!

Jim Vaitkunas
Como-Harriet Streetcar Line
Minnesota Transportation Museum

http://www.mtmuseum.org
jvaitkunas@msn.com

> With the release of The Polar Express movie
> next November, I am curious what the
> implications will be for rail museums or
> tourist railroads who want to operate
> "The Polar Express" train on their
> line.

> So, first question is directed to those
> operating museum railroads or tourist
> railroads that have operated Polar Express
> train in the past: what release(s) or
> authority did you have to obtain to operate
> your special Polar Express trains? How was
> this release obtained and from whom?

> Follow-on question is directed to whomever
> can answer it. With the release of the movie
> does anyone have a feel yet whether a
> release or authority will be required from
> Warner Brothers? This second part may not
> yet be known. I have been told that the
> legal ramifications arising out of the movie
> may prohibit museum and tourist railroads
> from operating Polar Express trains.

> Thoughts, ideas and any info would be
> appreciated. Replies can be sent direct to
> me.

> Thanks!

> Jim Vaitkunas
> Como-Harriet Streetcar Line
> Minnesota Transportation Museum

Good question. One tourist operation was suggesting we do a video of their Polar Express runs, and I wondered about what sort of ramifications I might get into if I produced such a video. Would be interested in any responses also.
Greg Scholl



Videos
sales@gregschollvideo.com

The trailers for the movie are available in QuickTime on the Apple website.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/the_polar_express/


brianf@yahoo.com

Based on the trailers below, this movie looks like it is going to be good, and true to the letter and spirit of the original book (which is also in our families' library.) Tom Hanks really puts out some first-rate material.

I would think that rights to the "Polar Express" would still remain with the original author and publisher. I would assume that Warner Bros. had to pay royalties to use the material, but I could be wrong.

Regardless of what this means to future "Polar Expresses", I think this movie will only do good for the preservation movement as whole, by demonstrating the magic of steam trains as part of the holiday season. Like the "Thomas" movie, it can only help to kindle a love of trains in a generation that has rarely seen an actually steam locomotive in operation before, and inspire more families to seek out tourist trains and railroad museums in the days and weeks to come.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

> The trailers for the movie are available in
> QuickTime on the Apple website.

>
> http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/the_polar_express/


Surviving World Steam Project
james@survivingworldsteam.com

> So, first question is directed to those
> operating museum railroads or tourist
> railroads that have operated Polar Express
> train in the past: what release(s) or
> authority did you have to obtain to operate
> your special Polar Express trains? How was
> this release obtained and from whom?

We run Polar Express trains every year. They are exclusively school charters. We've got a bit of an out -- the TEACHERS named the charter train, not us. It's not an "official" name so we just didn't bother looking into the legality of using it. If the teachers want to call it the Polar Express, then that's their business (or problem).

Typically, the teachers will have a couple copies of the book and will read it to the kids while we roll down the track. They've had hot cocoa for the kids on at least one charter that I helped with while I was unemployed. That has never thrilled me, but I don't know if anyone has put a stop to it or not.

mconrad@msmgmt.com

If you do a google on "Polar Express Train" you will find that quite a few railroads and dozens of other references already make use of this name ... should be a little different then Hogwarts!


lamontdc@adelphia.net

I heard that this is the last year for Steamtown NHS for their trains as Disney or Warner Bros. have bought the rights, so I guess its the same for all operations.

Does anyone (SRI?) have any sources for posters?

Joshua

> With the release of The Polar Express movie
> next November, I am curious what the
> implications will be for rail museums or
> tourist railroads who want to operate
> "The Polar Express" train on their
> line.

> So, first question is directed to those
> operating museum railroads or tourist
> railroads that have operated Polar Express
> train in the past: what release(s) or
> authority did you have to obtain to operate
> your special Polar Express trains? How was
> this release obtained and from whom?

> Follow-on question is directed to whomever
> can answer it. With the release of the movie
> does anyone have a feel yet whether a
> release or authority will be required from
> Warner Brothers? This second part may not
> yet be known. I have been told that the
> legal ramifications arising out of the movie
> may prohibit museum and tourist railroads
> from operating Polar Express trains.

> Thoughts, ideas and any info would be
> appreciated. Replies can be sent direct to
> me.

> Thanks!

> Jim Vaitkunas
> Como-Harriet Streetcar Line
> Minnesota Transportation Museum

The Heber Valley Railroad has been hosting readings of Chris Van Allsburg's story since 1998, as presented by the local arts council. Our events are presented as a re-creation of his story, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, Santa at the North Pole, and sleigh bells (with steam, of course). We were informed by Houghton Mifflin (the publisher) at that time, that we could present these "readings", as long as the copyright was not violated in any way (some railroads were already illegally reproducing artwork, calling their trains "The Polar Express", etc.). We have always followed their guidlelines religiously, and have had tremendous success with the program (over 10,800 participants last year). Our goal has been to stay "under the radar" and not make waves.

Houghton Mifflin recently contacted us, expressing appreciation for the efforts of tourist railroads, who have greatly promoted the story and book sales. Houghton Mifflin also presented a form guide that Mr. Van Allsburg wanted used, to ensure consistency and quality of the product. We were also informed (in the same letter) that Warner Bros. had purchased rights to the story, effective 1/1/2004. Warner Bros. already has all merchandising rights, and requires a $25,000 license fee to merchandise any items.

When contacted by phone, Michelle Simmons at Warner Bros. indicated to us that Warner Bros. does not want anyone running trains, conducting public readings, etc. of the story. Sounds kind of assinine to me. It will be interesting to see what actually happens, given the large number of non-profit organizations that participate in readings, trains, etc.

The Heber Valley Railroad's position is that we will continue to host readings of the book and provide other entertainment on our "North Pole Christmas Train", while maintaining an arm's-length relationship. Hopefully, Warner Bros. will recognize the role of tourist railroads, in promoting their movie -- it will make for a win/win situation for all of us.

Craig H. Lacey
Executive Director
Heber Valley Railroad
Heber City, UT

clacey@hebervalleyrr.org

> Good question. One tourist operation was
> suggesting we do a video of their Polar
> Express runs, and I wondered about what sort
> of ramifications I might get into if I
> produced such a video. Would be interested
> in any responses also.
> Greg Scholl

I would be concerned about Warner Bros. (who already owns all merchandising rights) getting into your legal "knickers". We approached them on selling a logo'd mug with Chris Van Allsburg's approved artwork. They told us we'd have to cough up at least $25,000 for a license! I don't get the feeling they're too anxious to work with anyone.

clacey@hebervalleyrr.org

> The Heber Valley Railroad has been hosting
> readings of Chris Van Allsburg's story since
> 1998, as presented by the local arts
> council. Our events are presented as a
> re-creation of his story, complete with hot
> chocolate, cookies, Santa at the North Pole,
> and sleigh bells (with steam, of course). We
> were informed by Houghton Mifflin (the
> publisher) at that time, that we could
> present these "readings", as long
> as the copyright was not violated in any way
> (some railroads were already illegally
> reproducing artwork, calling their trains
> "The Polar Express", etc.). We
> have always followed their guidlelines
> religiously, and have had tremendous success
> with the program (over 10,800 participants
> last year). Our goal has been to stay
> "under the radar" and not make
> waves.

> Houghton Mifflin recently contacted us,
> expressing appreciation for the efforts of
> tourist railroads, who have greatly promoted
> the story and book sales. Houghton Mifflin
> also presented a form guide that Mr. Van
> Allsburg wanted used, to ensure consistency
> and quality of the product. We were also
> informed (in the same letter) that Warner
> Bros. had purchased rights to the story,
> effective 1/1/2004. Warner Bros. already has
> all merchandising rights, and requires a
> $25,000 license fee to merchandise any
> items.

> When contacted by phone, Michelle Simmons at
> Warner Bros. indicated to us that Warner
> Bros. does not want anyone running trains,
> conducting public readings, etc. of the
> story. Sounds kind of assinine to me. It
> will be interesting to see what actually
> happens, given the large number of
> non-profit organizations that participate in
> readings, trains, etc.

> The Heber Valley Railroad's position is that
> we will continue to host readings of the
> book and provide other entertainment on our
> "North Pole Christmas Train",
> while maintaining an arm's-length
> relationship. Hopefully, Warner Bros. will
> recognize the role of tourist railroads, in
> promoting their movie -- it will make for a
> win/win situation for all of us.

> Craig H. Lacey
> Executive Director
> Heber Valley Railroad
> Heber City, UT

Hi i'm Gregg pullano age 13, and if you have any questions about the locomotive pulling the polar express, i'll answer them. trust me i'm the biggest fan of the locomotive, and i know nearly everything there is about this locomotive. go ahead, i'm open!!

pullanohome@yahoo.com

> With the release of The Polar Express movie
> next November, I am curious what the
> implications will be for rail museums or
> tourist railroads who want to operate
> "The Polar Express" train on their
> line.

> So, first question is directed to those
> operating museum railroads or tourist
> railroads that have operated Polar Express
> train in the past: what release(s) or
> authority did you have to obtain to operate
> your special Polar Express trains? How was
> this release obtained and from whom?

> Follow-on question is directed to whomever
> can answer it. With the release of the movie
> does anyone have a feel yet whether a
> release or authority will be required from
> Warner Brothers? This second part may not
> yet be known. I have been told that the
> legal ramifications arising out of the movie
> may prohibit museum and tourist railroads
> from operating Polar Express trains.

> Thoughts, ideas and any info would be
> appreciated. Replies can be sent direct to
> me.

> Thanks!

> Jim Vaitkunas
> Como-Harriet Streetcar Line
> Minnesota Transportation Museum

The Steam Railroading Institute has a signed contract with Warner Brothers to use the PM 1225 as the Polar Express. They also have told us after the movie comes out PM 1225 will be known as the real Polar Express. They are looking at using the PM 1225 to help promote the movie. To learn more keep an eye on our web site www.mstrp.com

Kevin


kbmayer75@charter.net