FAQ

We are excited to announce that Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is hosting THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride inspired by the hit movie. Tickets are in high demand so we recommend purchasing your tickets early.

Parking is available right in front of the train station in the pay lot, which is free for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour. Grab a ticket on your way into the lot and when you exit the lot, you scan the barcode on your ticket and pay with a credit/debit card.

You can click here for directions to the various lots.

The ticket office is located on the second floor right inside off of the train platform (where you board). Ticket offices and lobby open one hour prior to the departure of the train. After parking, you have a few options on how to get up to the second floor. There is a ramp, located on the left side of the building. In addition, to the right, there are steps just behind the visitors’ center. There is also an elevator which is at the back of the visitors’ center (located on the right side of the building).

WMSR considers 12 and under as a “Child.” Any child two years of age or younger can ride for free if the child can fit on your lap and is willing to sit on your lap for the duration of the ride. This only applies to standard coach. All dining guests must purchase a ticket. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is also excluded from free rides.

There is no dress code for the train ride, but it is always best to wear secure shoes as you will be stepping up onto the train. The train can also vary in temperature so it is best to wear layers that could easily be removed or added. All cars are climate-controlled. Frostburg is on average 5-10 degrees different than Cumberland. We encourage you to also check Frostburg, MD weather on the day of your travel to determine if you will need to bring along additional items.

On the layover, you can choose to disembark to explore the shops and restaurants on Frostburg’s Main Street (requires a 10-minute uphill walk from Depot. Shuttles will be running some weekends to take guests up the hill.). Guests can also choose to stay downhill and explore the Frostburg Depot and the adjacent Carriage Museum. Get Out and Play Outfitters has a small gift shop and tourism information inside.

Absolutely! As long as we have another trip the next day, you can ride up to Frostburg one day and come back the next!

We have some great options for lodging in Frostburg:

• Hotel Gunter
• Trail Inn
• Allegheny Trail House
• Quality Inn & Suites
• Hampton Inn

We are currently unable to accommodate bikes on the train until further notice.

Can I purchase specific seats onboard the train?
No. You will be issued a ticket for a specific train car within the class of service that you have posted, but you will not be assigned a specific seat on board your train car. Exceptions are for passengers in wheelchairs and their parties, or premium tickets on special event trains.

How can I make sure my entire party will be sitting together?
If you have a larger party and you all wish to sit together, we suggested arriving with your entire party 45 minutes prior to the departure of your train to get in line and board together. Boarding will begin 30 minutes prior to the departure of the train.

I have a child, can he sit on my lap? If not, is there a Child’s ticket price?
Children 2 and under may sit on adult’s laps for the journey and not require a ticket. Children 3 and above will require a ticket. If you do not wish to hold your child in your lap you will be required to purchase a ticket for them regardless of age. The price is the same for Adults and Children.

What classes of service can my children ride in?
Children under the age of 16 are only permitted in Standard Coach. Nobody under the age of 21 is permitted in Club and other premium cars that serve alcohol except for family special event trains such as The Polar Express

Can I bring my stroller or baby carrier on board the train?
Large strollers may not be brought on board the train. If you have a small, folding stroller that will fit into the overhead

I am in a wheelchair and I am bringing a party with me:
We have ADA accessible seating in in our Standard Coaches which are kept unsold up to a week prior to departure of the train. Please email our reservations agent to make an ADA booking to ensure you and your party will be sat together. Limit: 6 people plus wheelchair
We will make every effort to accommodate those with handicaps and mobility issues, however all of our train cars are historic equipment and, except for our Standard Coaches, are not wheelchair accessible.

I’ve been seated on the left-hand side of the train. Do I have to sit here the whole journey?
Passengers will be requested to swap sides of the train upon arrival in Frostburg for the return journey so that everyone may enjoy the view from both sides of the train.

If I purchase a ticket for a day with the diesel locomotive, can I swap my ticket for a steam locomotive day?

Yes. We reserve the right to change motive power and all excursions if operational circumstances require us to do so.

If I purchase a standard coach ticket, can I upgrade to a higher class of service later?

Yes, depending upon availability you may upgrade to a higher class of service up until the day before your excursion over the phone, or you may do so in person at the ticket counter the morning of your ride.

How will seating be handled for special events like Dinner Train?

Seating in premium classes will be assigned on Dinner Trains and similar special events like the Polar Express. On normal and murder mystery dinner trains you will be assigned to a table with another party if you are riding with less than 4 people. If you are traveling with another party but making separate bookings please contact our reservations agent to ensure we can seat you together.

How will seating for The Polar Express work?

First Class seating on The Polar Express will be sold by tables of 2 or 4, not induvial seats. We do not allow lap children at tables on The Polar Express unless they are the age of 1 or under.

What happens if I have an emergency and I am unable to make my journey?

Our tickets are non-refundable. We understand that sometimes life happens. If you are unable to make the journey that you have booked your ticket for, you will not issued a refund but we will do our best to accommodate you on another excursion within the same Calendar year. If you have booked a premium class we will do our best to try and accommodate you on another date depending upon availability, but if we are unable to do so we can place you in another class of service, however, you will not be issued a refund for the difference in the ticket price.