Police and railroad officials tell media outlets that the train had just left the Utica station when the derailment occurred around 6:45 p.m. Thursday. The three cars that jumped the tracks remained upright.
Buses were brought in to take people back to the station. About 100 children were on board. Firefighters carried some of the smaller kids to the buses.
The "Polar Express" takes children to a replica of the North Pole to meet Santa. It's inspired by the picture book of the same name, about a doubting boy who regains faith in the spirit of Christmas during a magical train trip to the North Pole.
