For Metra
A holiday train experience unlike any other.
Operation North Pole partners with Metra to transform an ordinary train ride into a magical journey to the North Pole for children and families navigating serious illness.
Who We Are
A volunteer-powered nonprofit spreading the spirit of the holidays to children in need.
Since 2009, Operation North Pole has created unforgettable holiday memories for families with children facing life-threatening or terminal illnesses. What began with a few families in Chicagoland has grown into a beloved tradition powered entirely by volunteers, community partners, and one very special train ride.
The Train Experience
More than a ride. A journey.
Families board a chartered commuter train and travel to the "North Pole," a fully decorated destination filled with Santa, characters, entertainment, gifts, and joy.
Chartered Train
A dedicated commuter train transformed into a rolling holiday experience.
Decorated Cars
Each car glows with lights, garland, and characters greeting every child by name.
Family Focused
The child, siblings, and caregivers all ride together, a day for the whole family.
The North Pole
The train arrives at a fully immersive North Pole destination filled with magic.
Who It Serves
Families facing the unimaginable are given a day of pure joy.
Operation North Pole serves children who are battling serious, life-threatening, or terminal illnesses, and the families who stand beside them every day.
For one magical day, medical appointments, treatment plans, and hospital rooms fade away. What remains is a family, together, on a train bound for the North Pole.
Why Our Metra Partnership Is Essential
The train is the magic.
There is no Operation North Pole without Metra. The train ride itself is the centerpiece of the experience, a rolling celebration that could not exist without the generosity of Metra and the crews who share their equipment, expertise, and holiday spirit.
Equipment
Chartered train sets that become a moving holiday experience for families.
Skilled Crews
Engineers, conductors, and station staff whose care makes every family feel welcomed.
Community Reach
Access to stations and communities where families can gather and celebrate together.
A National Vision
Bringing the North Pole to communities across the country.
Operation North Pole is exploring how to expand nationally alongside commuter rail partners across the United States. If your rail organization is interested in helping bring this experience to families in your region, we would love to talk.
Start the conversation
Ways to Partner with ONP
Let's build something magical together.
01
Host a Train Event
Charter a train and help us bring the North Pole experience to families in your service area.
02
Share Expertise
Advise our team on safety, logistics, and station coordination as we grow to new regions.
03
Rally Rail Staff
Invite your engineers, conductors, and station teams to volunteer for the event day.
04
Community Outreach
Help connect us with hospitals, foundations, and families your rail service reaches.
Contact Operation North Pole
Let's build something magical together.
Rail partners, foundations, and community leaders can reach out to explore how your organization can help bring the North Pole to more families.