Polar Express (2004) Ice Lake Scene

All copyrights go to Warner Brother’s

[mikeynewbun]

We need to give the engineer props, guys. Even with years of experience that couldn't have been easy

[bobafett]

This scene makes perfect sense when you acknowledge the fact that the train is magic, so of course it wont follow basic laws of physics if not needed to.

[missedthejokegamingyt]

I like how the train that weighs hundreads of tons doesn’t breaks the ice but a tiny piece of metal does

[arsenopyrite]

I've always loved this scene (as unrealistic as it is), as despite being machines that are obsolete in modern times, it really emphasizes on the sheer unstoppable power that a steam engine has, this scene gives me goosebumps every time I see it.

[carsonmatthews]

Can we talk about how great the sound design is?

[johncreed]

This was without a doubt the dopest (albeit most nonsensical) thing kid me had ever seen. And it still goes extremely hard.

[seanpark]

This scene is seared into my brain ever since I saw it as a kid. So much happening at the same time, and the little touches like one of the conductors using his hair pin to fix a crank, really makes it so enthralling.

[alynhampton]

Anyone noticed how the conductor held onto the train with only his feet the whole time

[BenelliAkimbo]

I don't care about what people think about this scene yes its unrealistic but come on be honest with yourself this was awesome, intense, and thrilling the roller coaster and the ice scene are one of my favorite scenes in The Polar Express

[ConnorMiller]

One of the best scenes in movie history. As unrealistic as this is, it still shows how powerful steam locomotives are. The Polar Express is indeed a magic train and watching it power through the ice breaking onto the tracks always gives me goosebumps.

[Bloody_FOXY]

Honestly one of the best scenes and soundtracks in this amazing cristmas movie.

[santafepacifico-scaletrain]

1:27 is my favorite part. I would ALWAYS rewind it when I was younger.

[SpectrumSwordtails]

Let's face it, as kids, we all would've wanted to be on this crazy ride.

[azander]

At the start the engineer is peeking out his head to see where the track is
But later go inside and focus at the braking
This shows on how much he trusted the conductor

[blakespinelli]

so let me get this straight...

first, Steamer is arguably the only person ever to pull off a J-Turn with a train. And not just a lone locomotive, but an entire, fucking, TRAIN!

next he manages to throw it back into "forward" at the exact moment for it to be pointed at the tracks leading towards their original route (instead of just racing off in some random direction) when it straightens out. then with some guidance from the Conductor, he manages to not only slalom the train towards the track, but when the ice finally gives way, the entire train lands perfectly on the submerged rails, with not a single wheel being off-rail.

finally, (and this concerns the locomotive more so than Steamer) it being able to pull the entire rolling stock up a 45-degree incline while the whole train - including the locomotive for a brief moment - was almost entirely underwater as if it was a leisurely hike, even as it threw up sparks from the drive wheels when it hit the hill.

in short, the train was drifting

[bannerwolf]

1:38 The driver literally does a 180 with a train on ice to avoid sinking, badass.

[danielleharrison]

The Polar Express always be my favorite moving no matter how old I get one of the best Christmas movie ever in my opinion. I love that movie so much.

[kaspisb.]

first the conductor was an ex Tokyo drifter second the kids in the carriages were like: everything is fine.

[StonewallTitlow]

No doubt the engineer was working under intense pressure in this scene.

[Avienne]

This scene makes literally zero sense but it's still cool as hell