(The Associated Press circulated the following on August 7, 2009.)
NEW ORLEANS – In dozens of cities across the country, Christmas is coming early this year-and it’s arriving by train.
Walt Disney is in the midst of a 40-city tour to promote its new holiday movie, an animated 3-D version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” starring Jim Carrey as Ebeneezer Scrooge.
The movie isn’t due out until November, but this week four custom-designed rail cars chock full of artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum of London-as well as costumes and props from the film-rolled into New Orleans.
Amtrak locomotives and engineers are leading the train tour, which at each stop includes a holiday display, artwork from the film, Christmas carolers and free activities for families, including a snow machine for kids.