The UAE may not have a culture of trains, but that’s fast changing with Etihad Rail steaming its way across the country. Trains have inspired song, dance and art over the centuries, and here in the UAE, they are exiting hotel kitchens to inspire and delight visitors.
For the first time in living memory, a Polar ExpressGingerbread Train is stopping off in Ras Al Khaimah. Staff at the emirate’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel have spent weeks baking the 21-metre-high edible train, which takes over the Qasr Al Bahar restaurant entrance in the lobby of the palatial hotel. Also featured is a giant gingerbread replica of the Grand Central station.
On view until December 31, the train is made from over 2,400 gingerbread tiles. It isn’t just the largest sweet train in the country, it’s also the heaviest at around half a tonne. Standing 3.2 metres in height, its gingrebread panels and compartments have been decorated with Christmas bows, wrapped gifts, Christmas trees and snow and stars.
In front of the train stands the 6.5-metre Grand Central station, a reminder that the first Waldorf Astoria opened blocks away from the iconic New York City transport hub.
Until December 31, there will plenty of festive treats on sale at a Christmas shop inside the train’s passenger wagon.
