@MichRR714 posted:My favorite railroad movie!
I think much of the hobo character in Polar Express is rip off of Lee Marvin's role in Emperor of the North, which was originally to be called Emperor of the North Pole.
He does yell at the end "you coulda been emperor of the north pole kid..." They probably renamed it so parents could bring their kids to see a Christmas movie LOL. It is by far the best railroad movie out there.