The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden is again set to enchant visitors with a three-part holiday theatrical extravaganza that brings a festive spirit to the rails.

Now in its second decade, “The Polar Express Train Ride” recreates the 1985 children’s fantasy picture book of the same name, as well as the movie starring Tom Hanks, with caroling, dancing, and a ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches pulled by an authentic, coal-fired steam locomotive.

Launched in 2014, museum executive director Paul Hammond said the Polar Express event has been a consistent winner and expects more than 15,000 passengers aboard the magical train for this season, alone.

“We truly wanted an opportunity to bring in a whole new audience,” Hammond said. “And this does it because not many expect a museum to put on a whole theatrical performance.”

Along with more than 60 cast members, Hammond said the production owes its success not only to its choreographers and technical staff but to a multitude of museum volunteers who ensure things run smoothly.

The journey begins in the museum’s outdoor pavilion, with a cabaret-style “Hot Chocolate” show and a dramatic retelling of The Polar Express story to set the scene.

Then, a lone train conductor emerges from the darkness, surrounded by smoke and steam, with an invitation to board the Polar Express, portrayed by one of the museum’s two working vintage coal-powered steam locomotives —Rio Grande Southern No. 20, built in 1899, or Durango Rio Grande Western No. 491, built here in Denver in 1928.

And then, of course, there’s Santa Claus.

“It’s a dramatic arrival that will knock your socks off,” Hammond said. “It’s everything you want it to be.”

With annual updates and surprises, Hammond said previous visitors will not be disappointed.

The stage has been expanded to accommodate “more elves,” he said, and an additional passenger car has been remodeled and put into service to accommodate more first-class tickets.

But hurry, tickets sell out fast.