Each November, thousands of people take a train ride to the North Pole, thanks to the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat North Pole Express. Starting as winter cookie train rides in the 1970s, the now-entrenched holiday tradition was recently recognized by the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC) for bringing notable economic growth and a positive economic impact to the community.

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat is among 22 award winners across 11 Connecticut regions who will be honored at the CELEBRATE CT! event in Hartford on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

“The reason Essex Steam Train and Riverboat’s North Pole Express was chosen is simple. [The company] is a major tourist attraction in Middlesex County and in the State of Connecticut,” said Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jeff Pugliese. “Beyond its economic impact, the company is also a strong corporate citizen and a supporter of a number of community initiatives.

“The North Pole Express is a hugely popular attraction that not only brings visitors to our region from all over the state and the northeast, but it represents the true spirit of the holiday season and produces endless joy for the children and families that participate,” Pugliese continued.

Sam and Carolyn Haight of Milford came to the event for the first time with their young son Nathan, and were enjoying the Christmas decorations and Santa’s sleigh while waiting for their departure.

“I used to come to ride the steam train when I was a kid,” said Carolyn. “Friends from work have been doing it for years and highly recommended it. We’ve been gearing [Nathan] up for it all day, he’s really excited.”

On the North Pole Express, each coach becomes a stage for a live musical performance of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and visitors meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each production requires about 60 to 75 people per day involved both on stage and behind the scenes to run smoothly, according to Kevin Dodd, president of The Valley Railroad Company.

“The North Pole Express has been so successful because it’s been a constant evolutionary process over a number of years, by a number of people with a joy and love of railroads, children, and Christmas. It takes a village to produce it,” said Dodd.

“We are constantly working to make it better than it was, to improve the customer experience,” Dodd said. “The past couple years that has meant really improving the culinary experience, adding homemade cinnamon and pecan rolls, and soups. The planning process starts in February and March, and begins in earnest in June when we begin hiring actors and actresses, but really, we’re already taking notes on this year on what we can do to be even better next year.”

This is Dodd’s second year as president, but he has had a six-year involvement with the Valley Railroad Company. While he attributes a lot of the success to the “never stop improving and evolving” approach the company takes with this holiday event, he says the real credit goes to the employees, who work hard to make sure that every day is Dec. 24 when people come to visit.

“This is a symphony and I am just the guy holding the baton, it’s everyone else who is making the music,” said Dodd. “The recognition by the CERC is a real testament to their hard work and dedication.

“A lot of people come here to make good, positive memories, and it becomes a tradition with their families,” said Dodd. “We put the tickets on sale after Labor Day, and this year we were pretty much sold out in four days.”

There are still some tickets hanging around, though families with younger children might want to check out the Santa Special as well, a shorter, day time ride with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer.

“We try to find something for everyone,” said Dodd. “We reinvest in the product and spend that time and money to improve. That is how the North Pole Express has gotten to be where it is.”