Parking coordinates:
42 01.748
071 57.426
Directions to parking for those who need it:
From the intersection of 131 and 197 in Thompson, CT (right at Dudley, MA line), travel northwest on 131 (toward Southbridge) for 4/10 of a mile. Take a right on Mill Road. Go 1/10 of mile, parking is on the left by the fallen log crossing railway.
About this cache:
We were so smitten by the story The Polar Express, that we have created this cache, themed in its honor. You will be walking on the long-defunct Penn Central Railroad, which travels beside the beautiful Quinnebaug River. We’ve included pictures showing that the railroad is unused and safe (evergreens grow right in the middle of the railroad as it has been 20 years since it has been used). We went on several walks to make sure we were bringing you to the loveliest nature with diverse habitats. We’re really proud of what we found and excited to share it with geocachers!
Please leave a Christmas or train-themed trinket if you’d like, but there is no need to leave anything at this cache but a smile.
What is the Polar Express?
It is an illustrated children’s story book that can easily be considered a modern-day classic. In 2004 ,it was made into a large-screen movie in which Tom Hanks plays several characters. We recommend seeing it in 3-D IMAX if you can. It’s an experience you’ll never forget! You BECOME the movie!
What is the story about?
Late one Christmas Eve, after the town has gone to sleep, a boy boards a mysterious train that waits for him in his front yard: The Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives, Santa chooses the boy from all the children on the train, and offers him to choose any gift in the world he desires, as “the First Gift of Christmas.” The boy modestly asks for one bell from the harness of Santa’s reindeer. The gift is granted.
On the way home in the train, the bell is lost through a hole in the boy’s robe pocket. He is devastated. But on Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell, wrapped from Santa, under the tree, far behind the other gifts. The mother of the boy admires the bell, but laments that it is broken – for you see, only believers can hear the sound of the bell.
We’ve started it off with 32 gifts for geocachers (no trade necessary, but one per team, please) and threw a handful of world coins in the box to start the trading.
Tick Tip: during tick season, stay on the dirt trail and off the overgrown tracks to dramatically reduce your chances of accumulating tiny unwanted hitchhikers.