Behind the Lines A completely backlit Valley Railroad North Pole Express in Chester, CT

Now arriving at Santa's Vilage The Valley Railroad's highly popular North Pole Express trains have begun. Here's one on 11/30/2012 pulling into Deep River, CT - otherwise known as the North Pole - to pick up Santa and his elves for the trip. Three flashes iluminate the scene.

North Pole Express #2 The Valley Railroad's North Pole Express runs in two sections each night. Here train #2, with Valley veteran No 40 in charge, arrives in Deep River to pick up Santa and his elves for the train ride. Three flashes light up the scene.

No 40 at the North Pole Valley Railroad No 40 brings a North Pole Express into the "North Pole" to pick up Santa and his elves

Pratt Cove Reflection A Valley Railroad North Pole Express passes by a very calm Pratt Cove in Deep River, CT

Now Arriving at the North Pole Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the families as they arrive at the North Pole on the Valley Railroad

The Jolly Old Elf Santa Claus greeting the arriving families at the "North Pole" station in Deep River, CT.

Now Arriving at the North Pole Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the families as they arrive at the North Pole on the Valley Railroad

Preparing for the Runaround Valley Railroad Mikado No 3025 disconnects from their train as a part of their runaround move for the trip back south to Essex

Leaving Essex A Valley Railroad North Pole Express departs Essex station on their way to the North Pole

Shadows at Chester A Valley Railroad North Pole Express, with Mikado No 3025 in charge, passes milepost 9 in Chester, CT

Merry Christmas 2012 My slant on Richard Steinheimer's iconic Christmas Tree photograph. I did mine on the Valley Railroad in Chester, CT as one of the railroad's highly successful North Pole Express trains shoves back to Deep River Landing - otherwise known as the North Pole. I went with a longer exposure to bring out some of the smoke/steam plume in the lights as the train passed by a marina in Chester, also highlighting the branches in the trees. Plus, I stopped down on the lens giving me the starburst on the headlight.

Coworkers Veteran Valley Railroad locomotive No 97 sits on the display track in Essex, CT as fellow Valley Veteran No 40 pulls a train of families out of Essex on the North Pole Express.