Polar Express trains sell out

The Polar Express trains, which start running this weekend, are sold out.

Candy Duncan of the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau said more than 7,500 tickets have been sold for the 36 trains that will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec.18.

"We knew the train would be a strong holiday attraction," Duncan said. "It will be a nice gift to area businesses as well."

The Polar Express program has been operating for 25 years wherever tourist trains run and is being run on more than 30 railroads this holiday season. It was inspired by the Warner Bros. film and award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg.

In the movie and the book the train makes a magical round-trip journey to the North Pole where children on board are greeted by Santa and given their own sleigh bell. They enjoy caroling and hot cocoa and cookies served on board. During the journey, children are encouraged to read along as the train makes its way from Carson City to Virginia City and back.