1:47 Hero Girl having her confidence shaken every so often when Hero Boy askes "Are you sure?" Is one of my favorite plot lines. The little motifs that plays too when he askes to ascertain her certainty. Having confidence is something important to have in being a leader and when she finally says absolutely, she isn't shaken by it anymore. There is always something new I can appreciate in this great movie.
Hence the reason the conductor wrote "Lead" on her ticket at the end of the movie Also the Hero Boy's name is Chris (after the original author) And the Hero Girl's name is Holly
One interesting detail I noticed when you watch this scene in 0.25x speed. You can see the engineer actually screwing in the light bulb into the headlight housing and close the hatch within a half a second
the whistle of Sierra #3 will forever be one of the most iconic sounds in movie history. I'm proud to say this sound has been preserved and several of the sound files used in this very film are in the public domain
fun fact the "steam whistle" used in the polar express is based off the steam whistle from Sierra railways no.3's whistle. in reality Pere Marquette 1225 has a Nathan 6 chime steam whistle. also the other differences I've noticed is that in the movie the whistle is on the Engineer's side when in reality the whistle should only be located on the Fireman's side. also in realty the whistle is the movie is completely vertical when it should be facing the back of the steam dome. also in reality Pere Marquette 1225 has both a whistle pull chord and a whistle valve. there's also a whistle pull cord on the Fireman's side. but in the Movie there's only one whistle pull chord on the Engineer's side
(This is actually incorrect, See Kitsune's comment below) For those who are wondering, The big red level is the Reverser. A layman term would be your gear selector in your car. Steam locomotives have 3 settings there, Forward, Neutral, and Reverse. If he yanked it, it would have stopped the train too, but might have caused severe damage to the locomotive. It was used to stop trains as a last resort before air brakes were fitted to trains, called "Dynamiting the engine". It was less common by the time of the Polar Express, as air brakes would always be faster then reversing with wheel slip. Edit: Grammer and spelling, proof-reading on a phone is hard.
The engineer can be seen operating a different lever that's closer to the window as the reverser when they're on the lake (the same lever can be seen barely off to the side in this scene pushed slightly forward, corresponding to forward with a short cutoff for higher efficiency/"high gear") The lever that was closer to the center of the cab that the hero boy was gesturing to was probably the damper that regulates the airflow into the underside of the firebox (there are times where you want to restrict the oxygen supply so the fuel can last longer when you aren't using all your steam) Besides, the reverser wouldn't have been in a completely vertical position (neutral) at speed Edit: Typo
@@QuirkyKitsune I actually rewatched The Polar Express last night and came to the same realization as well. I was actually planning on editing my comment. One thing I find interesting is how the lever disappears after they deal with the Reindeer. You should be able to see it, yet I struggled to, I get the kids are smaller, so the lever would appear bigger, but you just don't really see it anymore. Same with the railing on the front of Locomotive. Edit: I should have read your comment better, you legit say you can see it later lmao.
in reality Pere Marquette 1225 has a "reverse gear" aka "gear shift" as stated by Engineer Barney Gramling. which controls the locomotive's direction while also controlling the cutoff of the valve itself. which Makes sense but for some Reason They gave Her a "Johnson bar" not to mention when the train started moving again the Engineer didn't bother to put the Johnson bar all the way forward to later bringing back the Johnson bar closer to neutral
Well, the conductor gets upset when he explains to The Polar Express passengers that the train would never ever get to the North Pole early, on-time or late, because of the group of caribou on the railroad tracks, since The Polar Express train would have to stay there forever and ever.
Depends on mass, velocity, friction/grip to tracks, and a few other things - given that we have no real way to know any of those things, calculating a stopping distance is essentially impossible
You guys are aware that He applied the automatic brake to "release" not "emergency" for those Who don't understand if The Boy wanted to apply the automatic brake into emergency. He should've moved the automatic brake all the way to the right. Moving the automatic brake to the left is actually the "release position" remember that Pere Marquette 1225 has a 6et later known as an a1 air brake equipment where She has a g6 automatic brake this Means the Engineer has *5* positions which involve "release" "running" "lap" "service" and "emergency" when the automatic brake is moved to the left the automatic brake is in "release" which is used to recharge the brake pipe at a high speed and when the Engineer moves the automatic brake to a bump. The automatic brake is in "running" which connects the main reservoir via feed valves to let the brake pipe recharge at a slow speed but is an important position because if the automatic brake is in release for a long time. All that 130 psi from the main reservoir will then enter the brake pipe which is why the Engineer will typically leave it in running. Then there's a giant bump where You have 'lap' and that holds the pressure on the brake pipe. so when the Engineer makes a reduction on the automatic brake which at this point. He moves it to service and makes a reduction on the brake pipe and once He finishes making a reduction on the automatic brake He can move back to lap and after service comes Emergency which starts to dynamite the train the additional feature in between running and lap is "engine hold and that releases the air brakes on the cars but not on the set on the independent brake
I find it hilarious you literally have a train that has magic from Santa himself (or idk, powers from it's onboard flux capacitor I guess) yet stills gets to have a burnt out light bulb that needs to get replaced
Nah, the flux capacitor just make the train to always reach the north pole in 5 minutes. The whole train still needs what a regular one, like steam I guess?
The Pere Marquette weighs 401 US tons actually, which is around 802,500 pounds. That's the weight of the locomotive and tender together, the engine itself weighs 442,500 pounds or 221 US tons And let's not forget that it was pulling a passenger train as well
@@scottvelez3154 They have to be. Steel wheels against steel rails produce very little friction which is great for high speeds but not very great for stopping. The weight helps to push down the wheels onto the rails which produces grip. Rain is also another problem which makes the rails extra slippery, in this case the crew can place sand on the rails to add that extra friction and grip the locomotive needs to start
The R-rated version would have plowed right through the caribou with the train covered in gore. Realistically, if the train didn't have the room to stop on icy rails... all the caribou on the tracks could probably derail the train despite the cow catcher on the front.
@Mister_McCanless Yeah, not even close to that. I think when he said “caribou”, it’s most likely possible that he was trying to make sure once he had replaced the train’s head end light bulb on the front of the locomotive, he knew what he was seeing ahead of him once he called to the Hero Boy and Girl to stop the train.
I actually hated the fact that They abused Their Fireman a lot such as "pulling on His beard to fix the headlight" and using Him to scream at the Caribou. also I am surprised that The Engineer never bothered to tell Them to use the "warning whistle signal" so the train wouldn't have been forced to go into Emergency
Still is my dream as a 21 year old.... To blow a steam whistle on a steam locomotive while its running.... And how the hell did he put that light in one go?!?!
Engineer: Caribou? (snorts) Conductor: There could be no Christmas without the Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?! You!! I should’ve known. Young man, are you bound and determined that this train never reaches the North Pole?!
@@Train115 First of all why didn't they just stop the train before changing the light. Second, why would they even dare to change the light at this speed right when they're close to "glacier gulch" (The steep roller coaster track area)?
@@Ninjagal22 Most likely they're on a very tight Schedule and they thought it's an easy fix. So they did it anyways without reducing the speed or stopping the train. I do agree with you though they probably should've done one of the above.
@@SgtAJ218 That is true. But to be fair, I bet Smokey (The fireman, also the one with the long beard) could've easily just stood on the platform on the front of the locomotive where the conductor and the kids would stand before they head down glacier gulch, and open up the headlight cap to insert the new bulb. The reason why I didn't mention Steamer (The engineer, the one with the bald head) is because it's likely he wouldn't have been able to reach the headlight or the cap to open it up, due to his shorter height/stature.
I honestly love how I didn't realize what the insinuated danger was when I was younger. I always thought the light was supposed to be some kind of stop signal. It took me until just a few years ago what it actually was supposed to be: _a headlight. _*_The light was mimicking the headlight of another train._* When I realized that, it all clicked for me. Of course Steamer(btw, that's actually his name, and the fireman was named Smokey) was so desperate to stop the train! As far as he knew, they were headed straight for a head-on collision. Honestly helps now with adding tension, even if I know what the danger really is now.
THERE CAN BE NO CHRISTMAS, WITHOUT THE POLAR EXPRESS ARRIVING ON TIME! AM I THE ONLY WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT?! YOU! I should’ve known. Young man are bound to determine that this train never reaches the North Pole?
It's kind of hilarious that this whole scene doesn't comply with any railroad safety regulation at all 😆 Fixing a locomotive headlight While the engine is in motion Travelling at speed Pulling a passenger train And having LITERAL CHILD that isn't certified to work a steam locomotive in charge of the engine. Wow 😂
@@armorpro573 Well yes of course, just as the hero girl said. But being a railway enthusiast, I couldn't help but geek out on the realism front. I still like the film though
@@MrNoUsername Ok. Well if that's the case, you could also mention how a train is able to stay on the tracks despite it going down a steep incline or how it managed to stay on the ice without it breaking
@@MrNoUsername I normally don't analyze small things in movies, but there are a few that still bother me to this day: 1. How come a rumbling steam train didn't wake up the entire neighborhood? 2. Why does the train keep adding and reducing coaches? 3. Do the tracks magically appear when the Polar Express comes to town, or were they there to begin with? 4. How would the Polar Express make it back to Michigan with the rails flooded? Unless there was a separate piece of track. 5. What happened to all the kids in the passenger car whilst the train was going down a roller coaster and then sliding on a patch of ice. Some of them must've gotten some serious bruising. 6. And the most important reason of all, why a train exactly? Wouldn't it be a lot more efficient to give each child a teleportation device that instantly transports them to the North Pole?
Because he was running on a tight schedule. According to him, he's never been late before and is determined to still make it on time for this trip. He didn't know Billy changed his mind and wanted to get on the train until the hero girl told the conductor
At this point, Hero Boy had been involved in two seperate incidents that made the Conductor's life difficult, namely pulling the emergency brake (even though the Conductor acknowledged that was just to let Billy board) and losing Hero Girl's ticket (which to his knowledge, has not been found). So he perhaps had him down as a bit of a troublemaker by now. Perhaps he also thought that it can't be any coincidence that the same kid who pulled the emergency brake is the one who's now in the cab after a sudden and rather violent stop and thereby risking him arriving late, even though both times he acknowledges Hero Boy's reasons for stopping the train were, after all, valid. I do like the touch that when Hero Boy slides off Santa's giant sack following getting lost at the North Pole, the Conductor simply says "cutting it kind of close, aren't we?", acknowledging this isn't the first time (but rather the fourth) that Hero Boy has, albeit unintentionally, caused him trouble. Perhaps worth noting that the Conductor's concerns about running late aren't entirely valid given that between the train reaching Hero Boy's house and the sack hitting the sleigh, it's always 11:55pm. Maybe the Conductor has a different view of time than the rest of the kids - he is magic after all.
the reason why the Conductor accused the Boy for stopping the train from reaching the north pole is because when the train arrived at Billy's house. the Conductor asked Him if He wanted to get on the train at first He didn't want to but as soon as the train started moving. He made up His mind and tried to get on the train. but the train was already moving to fast that He slipped and fell so The Boy Who saw Him applied the emergency brake and when the train stopped the Conductor was Mad but then the Girl told Him. He only tried to stop the train so Billy could get on the train
@@crazynachos4230 Yes. However on a modern diesel electric locomotive like an EMD SD40-2, a GE AC4400CW, or even a GE ES44AC as well as the GE Genesis locomotives, the throttle needs to be in idle before you can move the reverser. Besides, a majority of diesel electric engines have dynamic braking. both EMD and GE
According to the magazine the hero boy pulled out from his drawer in the beginning on the film, the magazine was issued in 1956. It was either a magazine from years past or the film does indeed take place in 1956 The engine is equipped with a brake. The film shows it right here 2:12
That time and distance is completely dependent on a lot of factors, one of them, the weight of the train, and how powerful the brakes are. There’s only five carriages on this train. It doesn’t take much for this train to stop, especially if it goes to emergency.
@@CrisisHedgehogagreed. An actual stopping distance would be hard/impossible to calculate given the numerous unknown variables, but it wouldn’t be too far given the light load (and the whole magic part)
in the movie it shows the Boy stopping the train but in reality the automatic brake would be in "release" not "emergency" in reality when the Engineer sets the automatic brake all the way to the left it causes the automatic brake to be in "release" when the automatic brake is all the way into the right that's when You make an "emergency" brake application
@@elijahstevenson2546 I know that as well. but I swear once You do a LOT of studying about air brakes on trains You can see that They Literally never studied Air brakes at all 🤣🤣
Pinkie pie:(annoyed) HEY! I want this train to reach the north pole. okay? But the engineers told us to pull the brake! And there's something blocking our way!
I found it funny how the long bearded dude got his head stuck in the bell until basically when the kid stopped the locomotive and I wonder how much damage he did to the bell by doing that like he probably broke it
There can BE no Christmas without the Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?! 😡 [notices Hero Boy] *YOU?!* 😠 I should've known. Young man, are you bound and determined that this train NEVER reaches the North Pole?! 😠
2:32 Conductor: THERE CAN BE NO CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE POLAR EXPRESS ARRIVING ON TIME Conductor: AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT... ... Conductor: YOU Conductor: I Should Have Known Conductor: Young Man Are You Bound To Determine That This Train Never Reaches The North Pole Girl: BUT LOOK ... Conductor: CARIBOU CROSSING
Conductor: There can be no christmas! Without the Polar express arriving on time! And then I'm the only one who understands that?! YOU! I should have known! Young man are you bounded and determined this train never reaches the North pole?!
2:32 Conductor: “There can be, no, Christmas, without The Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?! You! I shouldn’t know! Young man, are you bounded this train never to the North Pole?!”
What I find so strange is the characters look like real life but since this was made on a computer it looks to have some slight cartoon action going on
Pete: There can be no Christmas, without The Polar Express arriving on time and i'm the only one who understands that? You! I've should Known young man are you bound and determined that this train never reaches the north pole?! Minnie: But Look Pete: Caribou Crossing!!!!
It is an American whistle. But believe it or not, it comes from an entirely different locomotive altogether! The locomotive in the film is the Pere Marquette 1225 with some modifications such as a larger cowcatcher in the front, but the whistle sound comes from Sierra Railroad No.3 which also starred in Back To The Future 3 with the same whistle
0:35 I just noticed that the lines for this scene were different for Michael Jeter and renewed for Andre Soglizzo which is why Smokey and Steamer's lines don't sync with their mouths! 1:15 Until someone pointed out Steamer screwing the light before closing the glass door. I thought he just slammed it 1:22 Yeah, that shouldn't have happened Smokey
1:47 Hero Girl having her confidence shaken every so often when Hero Boy askes "Are you sure?" Is one of my favorite plot lines. The little motifs that plays too when he askes to ascertain her certainty. Having confidence is something important to have in being a leader and when she finally says absolutely, she isn't shaken by it anymore. There is always something new I can appreciate in this great movie.
Hence the reason the conductor wrote "Lead" on her ticket at the end of the movie
Also the Hero Boy's name is Chris (after the original author)
And the Hero Girl's name is Holly
@@ppheard1254 I knew that.
Mom 👩🏻 Ugarte As Hero Girl 👧🏻 (0:01:47)
Luis Boy 👦🏻 As Hero Boy 👦🏻 (0:01:47)
One interesting detail I noticed when you watch this scene in 0.25x speed. You can see the engineer actually screwing in the light bulb into the headlight housing and close the hatch within a half a second
😳
Oh my god. You’re right.
@@owensuperbot232 ikr!
the conductor is the flash 2.0
Dude I never noticed that I thought he just shoved it in but no he didn't
1:03 I cannot get enough of that whistle, its music to my ears
I love the polar Express whistle
Me too same
the whistle of Sierra #3 will forever be one of the most iconic sounds in movie history. I'm proud to say this sound has been preserved and several of the sound files used in this very film are in the public domain
The Great Railroad 🛤️ Productions Train 🚂 (0:01:03)
fun fact the "steam whistle" used in the polar express is based off the steam whistle from Sierra railways no.3's whistle. in reality Pere Marquette 1225 has a Nathan 6 chime steam whistle. also the other differences I've noticed is that in the movie the whistle is on the Engineer's side when in reality the whistle should only be located on the Fireman's side. also in realty the whistle is the movie is completely vertical when it should be facing the back of the steam dome. also in reality Pere Marquette 1225 has both a whistle pull chord and a whistle valve. there's also a whistle pull cord on the Fireman's side. but in the Movie there's only one whistle pull chord on the Engineer's side
1:04 I love the sound of that whistle! 🥰
Sounds like the one from bttf
@@netherfreakultima4498 What does BTTF stand for?
@@sebbysuperstar8394 Back to the Future
@@netherfreakultima4498 Oh yeah! Sorry I never ever watched that movie before in my whole life but I’ve seen clips of it though
@@sebbysuperstar8394 ohhh, I'd definitely recommend that film ^^
Legendary film. Gonna rewatch it on Christmas eve
It's still a bit early but....
(This is actually incorrect, See Kitsune's comment below)
For those who are wondering, The big red level is the Reverser.
A layman term would be your gear selector in your car. Steam locomotives have 3 settings there, Forward, Neutral, and Reverse.
If he yanked it, it would have stopped the train too, but might have caused severe damage to the locomotive.
It was used to stop trains as a last resort before air brakes were fitted to trains, called "Dynamiting the engine".
It was less common by the time of the Polar Express, as air brakes would always be faster then reversing with wheel slip.
Edit: Grammer and spelling, proof-reading on a phone is hard.
The engineer can be seen operating a different lever that's closer to the window as the reverser when they're on the lake (the same lever can be seen barely off to the side in this scene pushed slightly forward, corresponding to forward with a short cutoff for higher efficiency/"high gear")
The lever that was closer to the center of the cab that the hero boy was gesturing to was probably the damper that regulates the airflow into the underside of the firebox (there are times where you want to restrict the oxygen supply so the fuel can last longer when you aren't using all your steam)
Besides, the reverser wouldn't have been in a completely vertical position (neutral) at speed
Edit: Typo
@@QuirkyKitsune I actually rewatched The Polar Express last night and came to the same realization as well. I was actually planning on editing my comment.
One thing I find interesting is how the lever disappears after they deal with the Reindeer.
You should be able to see it, yet I struggled to, I get the kids are smaller, so the lever would appear bigger, but you just don't really see it anymore.
Same with the railing on the front of Locomotive.
Edit: I should have read your comment better, you legit say you can see it later lmao.
Considering the movie takes place in 1957 it makes sense
in reality Pere Marquette 1225 has a "reverse gear" aka "gear shift" as stated by Engineer Barney Gramling. which controls the locomotive's direction while also controlling the cutoff of the valve itself. which Makes sense but for some Reason They gave Her a "Johnson bar" not to mention when the train started moving again the Engineer didn't bother to put the Johnson bar all the way forward to later bringing back the Johnson bar closer to neutral
2:32 - It gets me everytime the conductor starts ranting lol
Train 🚆 Coaster San Diego On Ride Mr. Conductor (0:02:32)
Train 🚂 D&H BLUE #302 As Billy 2Feathers (0:02:32)
Tom Hanks always makes me laugh in the way how he shouts in his movies!!!
Woody in Toy story
Whenever he says “Caribou?” And then the caribou blows in his face that always makes me laugh 😂
Well, the conductor gets upset when he explains to The Polar Express passengers that the train would never ever get to the North Pole early, on-time or late, because of the group of caribou on the railroad tracks, since The Polar Express train would have to stay there forever and ever.
Oh deer!!!!!
Lol Good one Dear, deer😂
That is hilarious!
This whole time, I thought he said “Hello moose!”
Chris: I’VE WANTED TO DO THAT MY WHOLE LIFE
Doc: ME TOO
The Polar Express is definitely a magic train if she can stop dead like that after going at full speed.
I asked chat gpt
It only need like 200 meters to stop
@@misterybuilder1898really? That s impressive but you'll end beat up inside i guess 🤣
Depends on mass, velocity, friction/grip to tracks, and a few other things - given that we have no real way to know any of those things, calculating a stopping distance is essentially impossible
@@mistertagnanwe know her mass, but her speed is a different story.
You guys are aware that He applied the automatic brake to "release" not "emergency" for those Who don't understand if The Boy wanted to apply the automatic brake into emergency. He should've moved the automatic brake all the way to the right. Moving the automatic brake to the left is actually the "release position" remember that Pere Marquette 1225 has a 6et later known as an a1 air brake equipment where She has a g6 automatic brake this Means the Engineer has *5* positions which involve "release" "running" "lap" "service" and "emergency" when the automatic brake is moved to the left the automatic brake is in "release" which is used to recharge the brake pipe at a high speed and when the Engineer moves the automatic brake to a bump. The automatic brake is in "running" which connects the main reservoir via feed valves to let the brake pipe recharge at a slow speed but is an important position because if the automatic brake is in release for a long time. All that 130 psi from the main reservoir will then enter the brake pipe which is why the Engineer will typically leave it in running. Then there's a giant bump where You have 'lap' and that holds the pressure on the brake pipe. so when the Engineer makes a reduction on the automatic brake which at this point. He moves it to service and makes a reduction on the brake pipe and once He finishes making a reduction on the automatic brake He can move back to lap and after service comes Emergency which starts to dynamite the train the additional feature in between running and lap is "engine hold and that releases the air brakes on the cars but not on the set on the independent brake
I find it hilarious you literally have a train that has magic from Santa himself (or idk, powers from it's onboard flux capacitor I guess) yet stills gets to have a burnt out light bulb that needs to get replaced
Nah, the flux capacitor just make the train to always reach the north pole in 5 minutes.
The whole train still needs what a regular one, like steam I guess?
1:06 I'd say the exact same thing.
Same
Me to😊
I did it once😎 my dad is a loco pilot
Same
Just posted a screenshot
0:34 my favorite moment, "Give me the light!"
I love how the caribou are not even phased that a 401 ton vehicle was charging at them.
The Pere Marquette weighs 401 US tons actually, which is around 802,500 pounds. That's the weight of the locomotive and tender together, the engine itself weighs 442,500 pounds or 221 US tons
And let's not forget that it was pulling a passenger train as well
Yes
Damn train are heavy as shit.
@@MrNoUsername I think 5 cars in total. We know it definitely had an observation car on the end of the train.
@@scottvelez3154 They have to be. Steel wheels against steel rails produce very little friction which is great for high speeds but not very great for stopping. The weight helps to push down the wheels onto the rails which produces grip. Rain is also another problem which makes the rails extra slippery, in this case the crew can place sand on the rails to add that extra friction and grip the locomotive needs to start
The caribou: Look, brothers and sisters! It’s a loud eleven-foot-tall 401 ton hunk of iron hurtling straight towards us! Let’s remain here!
Yet the moment they hear a stick crack they all jump at thr chance to run the fuck away lmfao
instead of "stopping the train" They could've done a "whistle signal" of *8* short blast that indicates You must get off the track immediately
The R-rated version would have plowed right through the caribou with the train covered in gore. Realistically, if the train didn't have the room to stop on icy rails... all the caribou on the tracks could probably derail the train despite the cow catcher on the front.
I'm not sure if the real life locomotive is fitted with sanders or not, but they probably would've helped in this situation...?
there are sand domes on top of the train however. also the front of the train is called the "Pilot" in the industry "cowcatcher" is American slang
I remember when I first saw this in theaters, at about 2:26 I was partially expecting that to be Donkey’s nose from Shrek. LOL
0:33 0:34 1:03 1:04 2:12 2:13 2:14 1:14 2:48
The part where steamer says hey there boo has me smiling all the time😁 2:24
He actually said "caribou" the animal
@@TheGrind12428 I see
@@Mister_McCanless Why in the hell would he say "Hey there boo"
@@Gobbersmack Good question👏 maybe he's judging how cute he was
@Mister_McCanless Yeah, not even close to that. I think when he said “caribou”, it’s most likely possible that he was trying to make sure once he had replaced the train’s head end light bulb on the front of the locomotive, he knew what he was seeing ahead of him once he called to the Hero Boy and Girl to stop the train.
“I wanted to do that my whole life!”
Dr Emmet Brown did too
Makes sense since both film were by the same director
@@itacryan I see
0:41 every man felt one 💀
YEOWWWWWOOWWWCH!!!!!
Amen
60th like
@@DynamicSaturn36Gaming nice! :D
I actually hated the fact that They abused Their Fireman a lot such as "pulling on His beard to fix the headlight" and using Him to scream at the Caribou. also I am surprised that The Engineer never bothered to tell Them to use the "warning whistle signal" so the train wouldn't have been forced to go into Emergency
Still is my dream as a 21 year old.... To blow a steam whistle on a steam locomotive while its running....
And how the hell did he put that light in one go?!?!
No one slams a light bulb into anything also even if someone is seventy they'd want to blow a whistle of a train
If you slow it down to 0.25 speed, you can actually see the the engineer screw the light bulb in place and close the light bulb’s housing.
I'll never forget the time I saw this movie as a kid and the "train light" became a pair of eyes, that gave me eternal spine tingling
0:41 1:10 1:13 1:14 1:15 POV: Tarzan hits puberty
2:32 The Conductor: THERE CAN BE! NO! CHRISTMAS! WITHOUT THE POLAR EXPRESS ARRIVING ON TIME! AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT?!
He should’ve said, “I’m gonna be late, I must do something. young man!” “Good idea, young man.” And hero boy should’ve said, “It’s working!”
Engineer: Caribou?
(snorts)
Conductor: There could be no Christmas without the Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?! You!! I should’ve known. Young man, are you bound and determined that this train never reaches the North Pole?!
But look
Conductor: (looks out window) Caribou crossing?!
I May Have Heard There Would Be At Least 100,000 Or Maybe Even 1,000,000
It's Gonna Be Hours Before They Clear This Track
We're in some serious jam.
Maybe the conductor is running late if there was a caribou, crossing isn’t there?
0:40 I GOT IT!
Me: Wow, this guy must have a really strong beard.
I love how you're acting like GWR Studios
I've been a railfan for 9 years, I would apply the brake immediately if I saw something on the mainline.
or blow the whistle 8 times to warn Them to get off the track
0:34 Is it _that_ difficult?
You bet it is
I mean the loco is moving at likely around 50 mph, or faster and it'd be vibrating like all hell.
@@Train115 First of all why didn't they just stop the train before changing the light.
Second, why would they even dare to change the light at this speed right when they're close to "glacier gulch" (The steep roller coaster track area)?
@@Ninjagal22 Most likely they're on a very tight Schedule and they thought it's an easy fix. So they did it anyways without reducing the speed or stopping the train. I do agree with you though they probably should've done one of the above.
@@SgtAJ218 That is true. But to be fair, I bet Smokey (The fireman, also the one with the long beard) could've easily just stood on the platform on the front of the locomotive where the conductor and the kids would stand before they head down glacier gulch, and open up the headlight cap to insert the new bulb.
The reason why I didn't mention Steamer (The engineer, the one with the bald head) is because it's likely he wouldn't have been able to reach the headlight or the cap to open it up, due to his shorter height/stature.
1:22 Wow, i just like how steamer just threw smoky at the bell.
R.I.P Michael Jeter
What voice of character is Michael Jeter before he died
@@Hunterinthepolarexpress It's Smokey And Steamer
@@austinmarcusrobertmiller7817 ok just wondering
Nicolas Cage As Michael Jeter
Charles Fleischer As Michael Jeter
What if Smokey the fireman's beard was cut and shaved off while fixing the light in front of the steam locomotive?
Ikr
According to Wikipedia, Smokey is the engineer. Steamer is the fireman. I made that same mistake.
1:30 Stop the Train!
@@samanthafranco236 Correct!
@@samanthafranco236 Correct means something's right! Better than wrong!
2:27 I Thought Steamer said Hello Boo!
I like that the "light" was actually just the train's light reflected off the Caribou's eyes.
I honestly love how I didn't realize what the insinuated danger was when I was younger. I always thought the light was supposed to be some kind of stop signal. It took me until just a few years ago what it actually was supposed to be: _a headlight. _*_The light was mimicking the headlight of another train._* When I realized that, it all clicked for me. Of course Steamer(btw, that's actually his name, and the fireman was named Smokey) was so desperate to stop the train! As far as he knew, they were headed straight for a head-on collision. Honestly helps now with adding tension, even if I know what the danger really is now.
Will always be the best Christmas movie ever.
2:31 Tom Hanks yelling
Or Woody! 😆
THERE CAN BE NO CHRISTMAS, WITHOUT THE POLAR EXPRESS ARRIVING ON TIME! AM I THE ONLY WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT?! YOU! I should’ve known. Young man are bound to determine that this train never reaches the North Pole?
But Look!
@@williamkearns2482 CARIBOU CROSSING!!!
@@adamuzumaki98 I May Have Heard There Would Be At Least 100,000 Or Maybe Even 1,000,000 It's Gonna Be Hours Before They Clear This Track.
It's kind of hilarious that this whole scene doesn't comply with any railroad safety regulation at all 😆
Fixing a locomotive headlight
While the engine is in motion
Travelling at speed
Pulling a passenger train
And having LITERAL CHILD that isn't certified to work a steam locomotive in charge of the engine. Wow 😂
Hey, it's a magic train.
@@armorpro573 Well yes of course, just as the hero girl said. But being a railway enthusiast, I couldn't help but geek out on the realism front. I still like the film though
@@MrNoUsername Ok.
Well if that's the case, you could also mention how a train is able to stay on the tracks despite it going down a steep incline or how it managed to stay on the ice without it breaking
@@armorpro573 @ArmorPro57 Yeah that too. I think there were at least two discussion videos about that scene from what I can recall
@@MrNoUsername I normally don't analyze small things in movies, but there are a few that still bother me to this day:
1. How come a rumbling steam train didn't wake up the entire neighborhood?
2. Why does the train keep adding and reducing coaches?
3. Do the tracks magically appear when the Polar Express comes to town, or were they there to begin with?
4. How would the Polar Express make it back to Michigan with the rails flooded? Unless there was a separate piece of track.
5. What happened to all the kids in the passenger car whilst the train was going down a roller coaster and then sliding on a patch of ice. Some of them must've gotten some serious bruising.
6. And the most important reason of all, why a train exactly? Wouldn't it be a lot more efficient to give each child a teleportation device that instantly transports them to the North Pole?
0:35 1:10 2:12 my favourite parts
2:29 😂 😂 Deer be like "Hi there" i just like that part
How did they think it was a good idea to replace the light while the train was still moving
I make that herd out to be at least 100,000 maybe even a million! It's going to be hours before they clear this track!
That's a tough nut to crack!
Conductor: there can be no christmas! without the polar express arriving on time ! And I'm the only one who understands that? You!
Never understood why the conductor was so quick to jump to the wrong conclusion that hero boy was stopping the train before reaching the North Pole
I believe it’s because he pulled the e-brake earlier to stop the train to let billy on
Because he was running on a tight schedule. According to him, he's never been late before and is determined to still make it on time for this trip. He didn't know Billy changed his mind and wanted to get on the train until the hero girl told the conductor
At this point, Hero Boy had been involved in two seperate incidents that made the Conductor's life difficult, namely pulling the emergency brake (even though the Conductor acknowledged that was just to let Billy board) and losing Hero Girl's ticket (which to his knowledge, has not been found). So he perhaps had him down as a bit of a troublemaker by now.
Perhaps he also thought that it can't be any coincidence that the same kid who pulled the emergency brake is the one who's now in the cab after a sudden and rather violent stop and thereby risking him arriving late, even though both times he acknowledges Hero Boy's reasons for stopping the train were, after all, valid.
I do like the touch that when Hero Boy slides off Santa's giant sack following getting lost at the North Pole, the Conductor simply says "cutting it kind of close, aren't we?", acknowledging this isn't the first time (but rather the fourth) that Hero Boy has, albeit unintentionally, caused him trouble.
Perhaps worth noting that the Conductor's concerns about running late aren't entirely valid given that between the train reaching Hero Boy's house and the sack hitting the sleigh, it's always 11:55pm. Maybe the Conductor has a different view of time than the rest of the kids - he is magic after all.
the reason why the Conductor accused the Boy for stopping the train from reaching the north pole is because when the train arrived at Billy's house. the Conductor asked Him if He wanted to get on the train at first He didn't want to but as soon as the train started moving. He made up His mind and tried to get on the train. but the train was already moving to fast that He slipped and fell so The Boy Who saw Him applied the emergency brake and when the train stopped the Conductor was Mad but then the Girl told Him. He only tried to stop the train so Billy could get on the train
2:17 dancing engineer lol
It doesn't appear the Polar Express is equipped with train break control, just independent.
Well the time period is like 60s-70s?? Clues by the cars you see outside the Hero boy’s house.
@@synthwaveguy_2942 1957 for me.
Well I'm sure throwing the reverser (the red lever by the looks of it) *COULD* have worked as well but I'm not an expert so idk
@@crazynachos4230 Yes. However on a modern diesel electric locomotive like an EMD SD40-2, a GE AC4400CW, or even a GE ES44AC as well as the GE Genesis locomotives, the throttle needs to be in idle before you can move the reverser. Besides, a majority of diesel electric engines have dynamic braking. both EMD and GE
According to the magazine the hero boy pulled out from his drawer in the beginning on the film, the magazine was issued in 1956. It was either a magazine from years past or the film does indeed take place in 1956
The engine is equipped with a brake. The film shows it right here 2:12
A train doesn't stop instantly, it takes miles for it to come to a complete stop.
Unless it is a rapid transit train
It's not meant to be realistic
That time and distance is completely dependent on a lot of factors, one of them, the weight of the train, and how powerful the brakes are. There’s only five carriages on this train. It doesn’t take much for this train to stop, especially if it goes to emergency.
@@CrisisHedgehogagreed. An actual stopping distance would be hard/impossible to calculate given the numerous unknown variables, but it wouldn’t be too far given the light load (and the whole magic part)
not to mention that the "automatic brake" is in "release" not "emergency" if You don't know what I mean go watch air brakes 101
1:05 only now it took to me to realise its a reference to BTTF for fuck sake 😂
Yeah there’s a lot of back to the future homages in this movie. Like the music when they’re on top of the train
@@Jellysfrickingstuff that’s fair
Both films, funnily enough, were directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Right before the train hits Glacier Gulch, a flux capacitor can be seen in the cab.
I have to watch this movie again!!!
2:13 The brakes came on hard, the engine screeched and skidded, sparks flew, and the rails rumbled.
in the movie it shows the Boy stopping the train but in reality the automatic brake would be in "release" not "emergency" in reality when the Engineer sets the automatic brake all the way to the left it causes the automatic brake to be in "release" when the automatic brake is all the way into the right that's when You make an "emergency" brake application
@@alvit123 I know. I was making a Thomas and Friends reference.
@@elijahstevenson2546 I know that as well. but I swear once You do a LOT of studying about air brakes on trains You can see that They Literally never studied Air brakes at all 🤣🤣
FRA regulations go right out the window on Christmas Eve lmaoooooo
Yup the FRA are really mad about this
(0:39) “Uh, I GOT IT!”
“GAAAaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”
LMAO 😂
Well how do you know how?
EDAMAME!
Pinkie pie:(annoyed) HEY! I want this train to reach the north pole. okay? But the engineers told us to pull the brake! And there's something blocking our way!
The funny thing is how the fireman, Smokey just screams and yelps whenever someone pulls his beard. 😂
That and the fact he’s wearing a T-shirt in the freezing arctic circle.
I found it funny how the long bearded dude got his head stuck in the bell until basically when the kid stopped the locomotive and I wonder how much damage he did to the bell by doing that like he probably broke it
And its funny how he found the perfect spot to sit ontop of the headlight frame although it looks like he is hurting his crotch doing that
That’s the fireman, & his name is Smokey.
1:04
2:13
Caribou? 🤣
There can BE no Christmas without the Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?! 😡
[notices Hero Boy] *YOU?!* 😠
I should've known. Young man, are you bound and determined that this train NEVER reaches the North Pole?! 😠
@@joezilla0250 But look!
@@actionfire4036 CARIBOU CROSSING?! 😧
I make it out to be a herd of at least 100,000, maybe more!
It's gonna take hours to clear the tracks!
A tough nut to crack!
Fun Fact: “I Wanted To Do That My Whole Life.” Is From Back To The Future 3. Because both films were from the same director.
I feel bad for the fireman, because you can tell he's losing his hearing especially when you see the engineer screwing in that light bulb.
Howling Like a Powder Keg S&S Roller Coaster 0:41
2:32
Conductor: THERE CAN BE NO CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE POLAR EXPRESS ARRIVING ON TIME
Conductor: AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT...
...
Conductor: YOU
Conductor: I Should Have Known
Conductor: Young Man Are You Bound To Determine That This Train Never Reaches The North Pole
Girl: BUT LOOK
...
Conductor: CARIBOU CROSSING
0:34 - 0:43 I found this hillarious XDDD
wow the young man was good at blowing the train whistle.
Just so everyone knows, that whistle is not #1225's actual whistle. It is the whistle of Sierra Railway #3.
I'm aware of this fact. because I've learned that Pere Marquette 1225 has a Nathan 6 chime steam whistle
Sierra Railroad No 3 Had that Whistle
1:21 LIGHT!
(Lets go of beard)
and He gets knocked towards the bell 🤣🤣
Best scene ever!
the intro: the kid being buried in the coal
my brain: the fireman shoveling coal into the fire box
usually these Berkshire locomotive have an automatic stoker so the Fireman doesn't have to hand shoveling on that train all the time
That's Michael Jeter playing Smokey and Steamer (motion capture only).
Conductor: I've should have known. Young man are you bounded this train never reaches the north pole?
2:49 The Conductor: CARIBOU CROSSING?! Me: CARIBOU ON THE LINE?!
Toot on 1:04
Chris exclaims: “I’ve wanted to do that my whole life.”
0:59 given who plays this kid, this might’ve aged pretty well.
Conductor: There can be no christmas! Without the Polar express arriving on time! And then I'm the only one who understands that?! YOU! I should have known! Young man are you bounded and determined this train never reaches the North pole?!
Паровозный гудок ни с чем не спутаешь) 1:04
2:41 I should have known
But Look!
Conductor: Caribou Crossing?!
What if Smokey's beard was already cut and shaved off if they happened during the Caribou incident?
@@jamesleopard8518 then They would do a whistle signal consisting of 8 blasts indicating that The caribou would move out of the way
The Polar Express is my favorite christmas movie
1:20 can we all just take a moment for THAT SCREAM AND BANG-
CARIBOU???
1:31. Stop the train 🚂! Stop the train 🚂!
2:32 Conductor: “There can be, no, Christmas, without The Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?! You! I shouldn’t know! Young man, are you bounded this train never to the North Pole?!”
Holly: But look!
Conductor (runs to the window of the cab & sticks his head out the window): Caribou crossing?!
For a moment I thought the engineer just slammed the light bulb into the socket but he actually did it the right way and screwed it in
What I find so strange is the characters look like real life but since this was made on a computer it looks to have some slight cartoon action going on
NGL for a long time I actually thought this movie was live action, until I watched it again and realized it's simply god tier animation.
@@scottvelez3154It’s motion capture animation
Steamer: stop the train!
Wow that guy must have a really strong beard 0:41
Why did the Christopher Hero Boy say that he wanted to do the train whistle blow within his whole life to be the North American train engineer man?
because blowing the whistle on a steam locomotive is so AWESOME !!!
@@alvit123 That’s with the safety to the railroad.
Pete: There can be no Christmas, without The Polar Express arriving on time and i'm the only one who understands that? You!
I've should Known young man are you bound and determined that this train never reaches the north pole?!
Minnie: But Look
Pete: Caribou Crossing!!!!
1:22 Eternal Sailor Moon/Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Stars) Usagi Get hitting Head Bell Stuck 😂😂😂
those 2 people on the front of the train remind me of Mario and Luigi
0:34 favorite part
I don't know if that whistle is American sounds like it
It is an American whistle. But believe it or not, it comes from an entirely different locomotive altogether!
The locomotive in the film is the Pere Marquette 1225 with some modifications such as a larger cowcatcher in the front, but the whistle sound comes from Sierra Railroad No.3 which also starred in Back To The Future 3 with the same whistle
@@MrNoUsername actually the "cowcatcher" is called a "pilot" in the industry. keep in mind in reality Pere Marquette 1225 has a Nathan 6 chime whistle
“I wanted to do that my whole life!!”
2:13 2:27 1:03 2:14 0:26 0:27 0:28 0:29 0:30 0:35 0:34 0:36 0:37 0:38 0:39 0:40 0:41
why canthey just blow the whistle to scare them off the track and go slow to push them off?
this people over here that's the throttle
those little thing here that's the brake
and those are the ??? engines
and that rope is the whistle
She said pressure gauges
Santa Fe Special "Union Pacific" 4-6-2 Locomotive 6012
1:04 [train whistle]
I remembered when I did that
0:35 I just noticed that the lines for this scene were different for Michael Jeter and renewed for Andre Soglizzo which is why Smokey and Steamer's lines don't sync with their mouths!
1:15 Until someone pointed out Steamer screwing the light before closing the glass door. I thought he just slammed it
1:22 Yeah, that shouldn't have happened Smokey