Model Train Exhibit Celebrates Chicago’s Influence on ‘The Polar Express’

Chicago’s Pullman Neighborhood Comes Alive with Polar Express Inspiration

Through Monday, the Pullman National Historical Park’s model train experience features Lionel trains and an expanded Polar Express exhibit to showcase the role the historic neighborhood played in the making of the Christmas classic.

The Inspiration Behind the Film

Zemekis lived not far from the neighborhood and drew inspiration from its historic clocktower and other buildings.

“When it came time to visualize what he thought the background for the North Pole should be, he remember his days as a teenager hanging around Pullman,” train enthusiast and longtime Pullman resident Tom McMahon said of Zemekis. “The arches that you see predominantly in the North Pole are from the Pullman square, market square. So we see Pullman all over the North Pole.”

Pullman’s Rich History and Architecture

The park first opened in 2020, and as Chicago’s only national park, it celebrates the Pullman Sleeper Car Company and the employees who were at the center of America’s workers’ rights movement of the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Model Train Exhibit and “Build with a Ranger” Event

In addition to the movie homage, six different vintage Lionel model trains from the 50s and 60s will run in a temporary layout throughout the exhibit. Pullman National Historical Park Rangers will also be on hand for their “Build with a Ranger” event as kids and Rangers use building blocks to create unique structures that highlight Pullman’s rich legacy of architecture and urban planning.

Exhibit Details

The model trains will be on exhibit from daily from Dec. 27 through Dec. 30 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Historic Pullman Exhibit Hall, at 11141 S. Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago.

Conclusion

The model train exhibit is a unique opportunity to experience the magic of ‘The Polar Express’ and learn about the rich history and architecture of Pullman neighborhood. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the holiday season in a fun and educational way.

FAQs

When is the model train exhibit open?
The model trains will be on exhibit from Dec. 27 through Dec. 30 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where is the exhibit located?
The exhibit is located at Historic Pullman Exhibit Hall, at 11141 S. Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago.

What is included in the exhibit?
The exhibit features Lionel trains and an expanded Polar Express exhibit, as well as a “Build with a Ranger” event for kids.

How much does it cost to attend the exhibit?
Admission to the exhibit is free, although donations are appreciated.