Polar Express stops at Camp Pendleton

CAMP PENDLETON — The Polar Express train chugged into the station at Mary Fay Pendleton School last week. It picked up 180 kindergarten children, all dressed in their jammies, and took them on a fantasy ride to the North Pole.

The day began with a reading of the book “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. Retired Amtrak conductor Richard Barone, grandfather of kindergartener Dominique Duran, started off the day by shouting, “All aboard!”

The children went from room to room, getting their tickets punched while enjoying craft projects, science experiments and hot, hot, hot chocolate. Each ch...