PORTLAND — The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad has been awarded the Polar Bell Award for “Best Santa In the Country – 2013,” for their annual holiday family event the Polar Express. The award, given by Rail Events, Inc., was announced at the autumn conference of the Association of Tourist Railroads and Railway Museums.

“It takes 4,400 volunteer hours to execute this annual fund raising event,” said Donnell Carroll, executive director. “Our marketing director and other staff have worked for the past several years to make this event truly magical for families. To be chosen as the best from around the country is indeed rewarding.”

Nearly 12,000 passengers ride aboard the Polar Express at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad each year. The museum is one of over 40 locations around the country that host the annual event and is the only officially licensed Polar Express event in Maine.

The museum has partnered with Rail Events, Inc., through Warner Brothers Consumer Products, to bring the officially licensed Polar Express event to Portland for the past seven years. The holiday film “The Polar Express,” originally released in 2004 by Warner Bros. Pictures, is an inspiring adventure based on the beloved 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.

Founded in 1992, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company & Museum is a nonprofit museum with a mission to educate the public and preserve historic equipment related to Maine’s two-foot gauge railways. The museum is open May through October and seasonally for events. The railroad is at 58 Fore St., just a short walk from the Old Port. Directions and more information about the museum can be found at www.mainenarrowgauge.org or by calling 207-828-0814.