Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. Josh Radenz backs up Engine 97 after pushing the into position for boarding passengers then switching sides for the ride. Wesley Bunnell / Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. An engineer stands on top of a steam locomotive shoveling coal needed for the furnace. Wesley Bunnell / Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. Children wait under a canopy out of the snow to board their trains. Wesley Bunnell / Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. A sign post greets visitors to the express. Wesley Bunnell / Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. Ellie Seidman , 6, rides on her father Ron Seidman’s shoulders as they take in one last look around. Wesley Bunnell / Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam train on December 11, 2022. Aleksander Vinca , L, poses for selfies with his family on board their train. Wesley Bunnfgffn/ Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the rth Pole Express. Steam from a locomotive obscure gf the name of the engine. Wesley Bunnell / Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. Conductor Stewart MacMillan hangs off the side of the car as it begins to move out of station. Wesley Bunnell / Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. Aleksander Vinca, age 7, glances out of the window as the train begins its journey. Wesley Bunnell / Valley courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. A train pulls out of Essex Station for the trip. Wesley Bunnell / Valley Courier

Snow set the stage for a beautiful night riding the trains of the North Pole Express at Essex Steam Train on December 11, 2022. Visitors make their way back to their cars during heavy snow. Wesley Bunnell// Valley Courier