How the Polar Express wrecked Blue RidgeHow?...let me explain.
See the BRSRR (along with allot of small preservation lines)had a deal that around Christmas time we can run a "Polar Express" train based around the book. We had a license with the Van Allsburg family, and indeed at one point Chris Van Allsburg rode on of the train in the early years and read the book outloud!
But of course Warner Brothers has taken the license for the book when it created the movie. Now that means our license now fell under there control...no problem, right.
Wrong
Warner brother terminated the license without warning AND is sueing the Blue Ridge Scenic for use in the three years we had run "Polar Express"s without there permission even though we had the original license from the original family, and had no clue the Warner Brother had retained the license on train operations.
The whole BRSRR is Shocked. What is meant to be a kind Christmas theme has turned into something very major, all brought on by a large soulless company that just wants to make money. This hasn't just been the BRSRR, but other railroads as well, this year in particular they've come down hard and without warning on railroads who are struggling to make ends meat and in one case, keep a steam locomotive going.
so I say Boycott The Polar Express. I now refuse to have anything to do with the movie, for I am not giving those money sucking leaches any of my money and I urge those of you who want to keep US preservation lines there rights, to do so too!
( PS allthough I will agree its a good movie
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Astonished
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We have similar problems over here with Thomas the Tank Engine events. Due to incidents of child abuse at some railways, HIT Entertainment has introduced almost impossible regulations for all railways wanting to host an event. These include, Criminal Record checks for all staff on-site at every event, the supply of 'other' entertainment, such as juggling, face-paining etc, as well as use only officially approved engines to play the little blue engine. All this, and not to mention the ridiculous license fees preserved railways have to pay for copyright, has means that some railways have had to simply give up hosting these events. Only a few are able to keep the events going without the need to pay for licensing fees, i.e. the Nene Valley Railway and the Talyllyn.
So, to summarise, I know exactly what you mean, and you and your line have my deepest sympathies. In truth, I don't much like the Polar Express (ironic since I'm writing a children's book quite similar to it) but the film, IMO, was terrible. It's another case of large companies not taking into account that many preserved lines have limited resources as it is, without having to pay for a lawsuit.
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