The Midnight Pumpkin Express: Sleepy Train Journey

All aboard the Midnight Pumpkin Express! Relax and unwind at bedtime as this Halloween train journey brings you to an enchanting forest where you board an autumn sleeper train that celebrates the season with a costumed ball and autumn spa. As the train weaves through the peak fall foliage, experience a sense of fun and whimsy before falling asleep in your luxurious pumpkin-themed cabin. It's time to dream away.

Featuring relaxing train sounds at the end to help to find deeper sleep.

Transcript

If you have a deep enduring love for all things Halloween and its enchanting spell,

Tonight's special train journey is waiting for you.

Settle in and allow the exhilarating electric energy of the bewitching season to become the perfect soundtrack for deep restorative rest.

You are listening to The Midnight Pumpkin Express,

An autumn sleep story set in a vibrant world in motion where the ordinary fades and the spectacular comes to life at the stroke of midnight.

As you board,

You'll see glittering lights that dance like fireflies and glowworms in the inky darkness of the autumnal forest welcoming passengers,

Dressed in spectacular whimsical costumes.

Inside the lavish purple and green-hued cars,

They are as thick with the scent of pumpkin spice and a gentle fog machine creates an air of mystery.

Tea leaf readings,

Soothing elixirs,

And autumnal delights immerse you in this season of transformation.

As the Midnight Pumpkin Express weaves through the countryside,

You connect with a sense of fun before settling into your sleeper car.

The train rocks you gently to sleep,

Carrying you to a place of pure magical contentment.

It's time to dream away.

Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I'm Michelle,

And it's an honor to be part of your sleepy journey tonight.

I hope my voice feels like a dear,

Trusted friend,

The kind who always brings a sense of playfulness,

Yet advocates that you take time for yourself.

You deserve to celebrate making it through another day,

And I'm here to help.

As a train-travel-loving night owl,

I've long considered a story that celebrates both.

And what season better than fall?

I like to think of this journey as the antithesis to Cinderella,

Where at the stroke of midnight,

The enchantment begins all aboard a pumpkin-themed train.

Feel free to customize this story however you wish.

And know your imagination is yours to mold.

Fall asleep whenever it feels right for you.

As you tuck yourself in,

Let's settle with a brief series of relaxing breaths to clear the air and set the tone for this extraordinary enchanted journey.

Let out a sigh,

And feel free to make a sound as you exhale.

Then breathe in the air slowly,

Imagining the rich,

Festive scents of apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice floating on the cool midnight air.

Your space is now transforming,

Becoming a lavish,

Velvet-lined cabin aboard the Midnight Pumpkin Express,

Where a gentle fog whispers around your feet as you let out a sigh,

Releasing any lingering thoughts from the day.

As this scene comes to life around you,

As you inhale,

Feel the cool,

Crisp air as it warms in your nose,

Carrying a thrilling hint of magical possibility.

Perhaps you yawn at the top of your breath,

And then let out a sigh.

The night air enhances the feeling that anything is possible right now.

You may continue to breathe and sigh at the rhythm and pace that feels right to you now,

As I count us down.

The more relaxed you become,

The easier it is for your imagination to carry you aboard the Midnight Pumpkin Express.

As you take a deep breath,

Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose,

Connecting with the gentle rocking motion of a train that travels beneath a fiery red canopy of moonlit autumn leaves.

As you sigh,

All the muscles in your body find softness,

Surrendering to the essence of fall.

Four,

A deep sense of whimsical anticipation washes over you,

As you appreciate the gifts the bewitching hour brings.

A chance for transformation,

For playful adventures,

And for intentionally crafting a truly magical night.

Three,

Waves of festive joy and enchantment undulate through you in bands of vivid purples and greens,

Sunset orange and deep crimson,

Helping you find comfort on a cellular level.

Two,

Your muscles soften,

Your joints ease and find a bit more space.

Three,

You take up more room as your face relaxes in a delightful surrender.

The warmth gently flows from the ground of your head,

Down your spine,

And the front of your torso.

It continues to soothe your arms and legs,

Leaving a wonderful sensation in your palms and the soles of your feet.

One,

Connecting with the magical energy of the midnight hour.

Two,

Your eyelids are shutters on the night.

As you slip into your inner sanctuary,

Your breath slips into a natural dreamy rhythm as our journey begins.

The Midnight Pumpkin Express started as a festive annual celebration for the Midnight Society,

A group of fellow night owls who bathed in the nocturnal blues and were more apt to catch a moonrise than a sunrise.

They were rejuvenated by the opal moonlight and the wild freedom they felt in the silence of a night when much of the village slept.

The first Midnight Pumpkin Express celebrated all things Halloween over 40 years ago.

A sleeper train,

Where the festivities began as the church tower clock struck 12.

But the adventure truly begins before the train platform,

In a picturesque mountainside forest nearby a glacial lake.

Even those who often wake with the sun find themselves stirring in the night to watch the silent parade of costumed patrons making their way through the village square and to the edge of the woodlands that lead to the train station.

The night is clear,

The moon is high,

And the air carries the perfect autumnal coolness and crispness as you quietly make your way through the village to the canopy of trees.

The pathway is lined with carved pumpkins that glow with dancing light,

Casting animated shadows that contrast with the gently moving shadows of the towering trees.

Fall foliage is at its peak with pearly moonlit reds,

Oranges,

And golds.

You wear a costume that best suits your mood and personality on this night.

Perhaps something one might wear to a renaissance fair or a ball in a storied castle long ago.

Or maybe it's a whimsical or fun costume that allows you to recreate moments from your childhood.

The crunch of leaves beneath your feet meets the shuffling steps of others who make their way to the station with the occasional hoot of an owl or a coyote's yip that echoes through the night.

There's an otherworldly energy,

A fantastical spectacle up ahead as you walk deeper into the forest and the trees begin to glow.

Thousands of lights dance and trickle down the autumn leaves and branches,

Squiggling like glowworms and dashing like fireflies.

It's quite difficult at first to determine if these electric blue,

Emerald green,

And violet lights are mythical sprites or living beings.

You are soon in the heart of this artistic display and pause,

Feeling instantly soothed by the magical motions,

Mesmerizing and calming.

The stars peek through the canopy,

And the lights promise a night of enchantment unfolding around you.

You stare up at the stars and cascading lights,

Inspired by Mother Nature and grateful for the artistic soul who created this lively display.

Enhancing the beauty of a clear autumn night.

As the glowing forest gives way,

You step out of the dense woods onto a paved stone platform where the air immediately drops a few degrees,

Making the cool mountain air a tangible presence.

A thick ethereal mist,

Smelling faintly of wet tobacco and earth,

Rises from the train tracks,

Swirling around the base of the steps,

Leading up the platform.

Through the pearly haze,

The midnight pumpkin express awaits.

It's a breathtaking sight.

A locomotive and its connected cars,

Rendered in a deep,

Matte shade of pumpkin orange,

Like the waxy skin of a jack-o-lantern.

Across the cars,

The name Midnight Pumpkin Express is rendered in glittering indigo cursive,

Sparkling magically even in the faint,

Amber platform light.

Midnight Pumpkin Express A celebration of autumn's harvest.

Dozens of pumpkins line the edges,

Big and small,

Each one carved with intricate designs.

Smiling moons,

Laughing spirits,

And curled autumnal vines and maple leaves.

Flames lick their interiors,

Casting a flickering orange light upward,

And the heat releases a glorious rich scent into the night air.

The warm,

Cozy aroma of fire-kissed pumpkin mingles with the sweet scent of caramelized sugar.

The air is thick,

Sweet,

And perfectly autumnal.

A short distance away,

Inside the observation car,

With its huge domed glass roof,

A string quartet plays a haunting melody.

A minor key waltz that reverberates with elegance and melancholy,

The music carrying clearly across the mist-shrouded platform.

The scene is alive with passengers,

All of them are dressed in theatrical Halloween costumes,

With lush velvets,

Silks,

And lace.

A couple resembles 18th-century royalty,

With powdered wigs and silk gowns,

Elegant and slightly aloof,

As if playing the part.

There are classic witches in tall pointed hats and intricate lace,

Dazzling fairies with shimmering iridescent wings that light up.

There are valiant knights in gleaming and likely uncomfortable armor,

And graceful ballerinas in ethereal tutus.

Everyone is animated,

Laughing,

And embracing the spectacle.

Some returning for this magical journey,

While others like you are experiencing it for the first time.

Near the boarding step,

A tall,

Impeccably dressed butler stands,

Stoic and reserved.

He wears a velvet midnight blue blazer over a white graphic t-shirt that simply reads,

Future Ghost in bold letters.

He holds a silver tray aloft,

Laden with bubbling beverages and tall,

Stemmed glasses,

With a mesmerizing plume of dry ice smoke rising around them.

This cool,

Citrusy smoke mixes with the pumpkin scent,

Adding a final effervescent layer to the sensory cocktail of the platform.

You approach the butler,

Feeling the slight vibration of the cool stone platform beneath your feet as the train idles.

He offers a slight,

Welcoming bow as you reach for one of the drinks.

The chilled glass feels refreshing in your hand,

And as you take a sip,

You feel the immediate fizz of the carbonation on your tongue.

The flavor is bright and complex,

A burst of crisp,

Sparkling apple cider,

Followed by a warm,

Lingering impression of spiced pear and a hint of apple.

It's the perfect taste of autumn,

Cool and invigorating.

Just as the last few revelers glide up the steps,

A deep voice echoes,

Cutting through the music.

And the soft conversations.

The conductor,

Dressed in deep crimson velvet,

Stands at the main door,

Tipping his cap.

Final boarding call,

The Midnight Pumpkin Express,

All aboard for the bewitching hour.

You ascend the orange and gold ornate steps,

Your own costume rustling behind you,

And step across the threshold into the heart of the adventure.

The moment you step inside,

You are immersed in the sounds,

Scents,

And sights of the Midnight Pumpkin Express.

The car is illuminated by a deep,

Flattering light,

A combination of purple and emerald green lamps that make every surface and every passenger look fantastical.

The crew is ready to cater to everyone's fancy.

Dressed in their velvet blazers and graphic t-shirts,

One popular shirt portrays a trio of young women,

All with black pointed witch hats,

Dancing around a fire with the words,

Girls will be girls,

Hovering above them in the stars.

The energy is infectious,

Quietly rebellious,

And unapologetically joyful.

The observation car ceiling is a massive domed glass roof,

Perfectly clear.

Giving a 360-degree view of the sky and surrounding landscape.

The walls are paneled in dark,

Glossy wood,

Offset by draperies of deep royal purple velvet.

The festive décor,

From fresh cornstalks tied with indigo ribbon to more carved pumpkins,

Now glowing softly on tabletops,

Imbues the air with a sweet sense of harvest time.

A long buffet table offers autumnal indulgences,

From sips to bites.

Everything is served in themed vessels.

Steaming,

Savory butternut squash soup is presented in tiny hollowed out pumpkin vessels,

While complex bubbling drinks,

Pumpkin spice hot cocoa,

And decadent hot cider are served in mugs shaped like grinning skull heads.

You settle into a plush velvet club chair,

Just as the train lurches gently into the night.

The wheels beginning a slow clackety clackety that becomes a soothing soundtrack for the night.

You look up as the train picks up speed,

And the domed roof becomes your new sky.

Stars twinkle above,

Millions of them dusting the deep black expanse.

Below,

The train weaves through the countryside,

And soon,

A vast glacial lake glitters,

Perfectly reflecting the canopy of stars.

As the train ascends the mountain,

You feel as though you are gliding between two universes,

One of polished wood and velvet and Halloween decor,

And one of a billion twinkling lights.

In a quiet corner of the car,

Tucked behind a screen made of woven branches and dried autumn leaves,

Sits a woman at a table with candles around her.

She wears a simple,

Elegant black dress,

And a long flowing purple lace veil that frames her face,

Making her look like a benevolent figure from long ago.

She is a fifth generation tea leaf breeder,

And invites guests to visit her.

You feel an inexplicable pull towards her quiet corner.

As you sit across the small round table,

She gestures toward a porcelain teacup,

Containing the final swirling dregs of your tea.

The air around her smells faintly of clove and tea leaves.

She speaks with a voice that is soft,

And requires your full attention as the festive party atmosphere fades beyond.

She gently rotates the cup,

Her gaze penetrating the ebony clusters of leaves.

She then takes a piece of aged parchment-like paper and a fountain pen.

With unhurried,

Graceful strokes,

She begins to draw the images she sees in the leaves.

A winding upward path,

A half-moon cradling a tiny star,

And the words,

Dream.

You are an imaginative soul,

She whispers,

Her voice resonating with ancient,

Maternal knowledge.

I see here a multitude of beautiful adventures still to come.

The path is long,

But it ascends quickly now.

The half-moon and star tell me,

You have the rare gift to dream things into being.

Your thoughts,

Your deepest desires,

Are the blueprints for your reality.

Her words are not shocking or new.

They stir a feeling deep within your chest,

A quiet trust and confidence in yourself that has often ebbed and flowed throughout your lifetime.

It is a validation of the core of your being,

A gentle reminder that the inner magic you possess is,

In fact,

Real.

You thank her,

The warmth of the cider in your stomach now replaced by a deeper,

Satisfying warmth of self-recognition.

Feeling a lightness in your step,

You rise and decide to explore the next car.

You pass through a connecting passage.

The movement of the train is more pronounced here and you emerge into the ballroom car and its timeless energy.

You feel your posture straighten as you step into this elegant capsule.

The floor is a polished dark wood and the same purple and green lights illuminate a gathering of souls already in motion.

The string quartet has moved here,

Now augmented by a playful saxophone and drum.

They play a lively,

Slightly spooky halloween waltz,

A grand swirling melody that invites choreographed movement.

A headless horseman twirls an elegant duchess.

A glittering fairy bows to a stoic knight.

The atmosphere is exhilarating,

A perfect blend of high society and midnight mischief.

You are instantly invited into the circle.

Your feet miraculously remember the rhythm of the three count and you find yourself swept up in the enchanting movements.

Your costume rustles gently as you spin,

The movement met by the swishes and rustling of other gowns and sequined fabric.

The cool mountain air,

Circulated through the car's ingenious system,

Sweeps over you,

Invigorating and fresh with a scent of fresh pine mingling with nutmeg and pumpkin.

The train is now high in the mountains and you glance up to see the moon riding high,

Perfectly centered in the domed roof,

A silver disc against the inky glass.

Out of nowhere,

A flash of black and red darts beneath the whirling skirts and coattails.

A small fluffy dog,

Perfectly dressed in a tiny satin cape and collar as a vampire,

Races through the dance floor as everyone widens the circle to welcome the pup to the grand waltz.

Laughter ripples through the dancers,

Momentarily breaking the focus before the melody carries everyone back into the timeless steps.

As the music winds down to a final sustained chord,

A feeling of joyful exhaustion settles over you.

The midnight adventure is in full swing,

But the call of rest makes its first early whispers.

You wave farewell to your dancing partners and make your way to the final destination before sleep,

The Harvest Spa Car.

The transition is immediate,

From music and laughter,

It's replaced by the music of the forest and the gentle,

Calming sound of trickling water.

The air here is no longer spicy and sweet,

But clean and redolent of eucalyptus and cool stone.

The Spa Car is a sanctuary of deep,

Soothing colors.

Walls of dark gray riverstone,

Soft lighting,

And plush warm towels stacked on mahogany shelves.

You approach a marble counter where a quiet staff member,

Wearing a t-shirt that simply reads,

Bewitched and Unbothered,

Gestures towards a selection of autumnal pampering products and a changing room where you stow your costume and change into a midnight blue velvety spa robe with an embroidered pumpkin on the pocket.

You choose to indulge one sensation at a time,

Starting with a pumpkin spice facial mask made of clay,

The color of wet terracotta.

The attendant washes your face with a hot towel and then applies the purifying mask to your face with a gentle touch.

The scent of pumpkin spice brings warm thoughts of autumn gatherings,

Warming your skin immediately.

You feel a delightful tingling sensation as the clay begins to tighten and draw impurities out,

Purifying your pores in preparation for sleep.

You move to a small basin and lather your hands and forearms with an apple cider sugar scrub.

The crystalline sugar granules exfoliate,

Feeling delightfully rough,

Followed instantly by the smooth moisturizing blend of oils.

The spa attendant does the same for your calves and feet.

The sharp,

Vibrant aroma of apple cider and brown sugar is an intoxicating blend as your mind wanders to thoughts of cider mills and apple orchards.

The attendant uses steamy,

Wet washcloths to remove the clay from your face and wipe off any remaining scrub.

Next,

You enter the cinnamon spice steam room.

The heat is intense,

Immediately opening your pores and causing a gentle sheen of perspiration.

The air is thick with pure cinnamon oil steam,

An aroma that is at once pungent,

Sweet,

And deeply grounding.

You breathe deeply,

Feeling the warmth penetrate your muscles,

Relaxing them from the day's tension and the night's dancing.

Every worry seems to dissolve in the moist heat.

After the steam,

You step into the shower area.

The fun design features a small tiled cabin where three separate shower heads,

Arranged at different heights,

Are cast in the perfect squat shape and hue of pumpkins.

You turn the brass handles and the water flows out in thick,

Warm streams.

The temperature and pressure are absolute perfection,

Providing you a powerful deep massage across your body.

The feeling of the warm water is one of pure,

Restorative bliss.

You step out onto a warm,

Fluffy mat to find a complete set of clean,

Deep orange linen pajamas waiting for you,

As if fresh out of the dryer.

The feeling of the soft linen against your skin is immediately comforting and conjures a yawn.

Your feet slide into the equally plush pumpkin-themed slippers,

Black velvet with a small orange embroidered pumpkin on the toe.

As you leave the spa car,

Dressed in your new sleepwear,

You find the butler waiting patiently.

He holds your elaborate costume,

Now gently folded over his arm.

He offers a silent,

Respectful nod and guides you down the corridor to your sleeper suite.

A profound silence has now taken over the train.

The festive sounds of the ballroom are far behind you,

Absorbed by the heavy insulated walls.

The only sounds are the smooth,

Hypnotic rocking back and forth of the train cars,

And the faint whoosh of air passing the windows as the Midnight Pumpkin Express continues its deep journey into the night.

The butler opens the door to your suite,

And the room welcomes you with a soft,

Warm glow.

The entire space is designed for ultimate comfort and autumnal dreaminess.

The walls are lined with small,

Antique-framed paintings,

Each featuring silhouettes of pumpkin patches set against blue and purple nocturnal tones with a sparkling,

Stylized moon.

The four-poster bed is the room's centerpiece,

Designed like a fantastical pumpkin carriage,

With antique dark wood posts intricately carved with vines and small pumpkins.

The linens are luxurious,

High-thread count cotton sheets beneath a heavy,

Sateen duvet of a deep indigo.

The carpet is plush and autumnal,

A color of moss and fallen leaves,

And a carved sconce beside the bed.

A single small pumpkin candle burns in a brass and glass holder,

Filling the room with the faintest whisper of wood smoke and clove.

A small brass snuffer hangs alongside it,

Lying on the pillow is a small,

Heavy piece of parchment with handwritten orange ink and gold sparkles.

It reads,

The final journey into dreamland is upon you.

Blow out this flame and make your wish upon the final festive glow.

You look at the small,

Perfect flame and consider what wish your imagination,

The one the tea leaf reader spoke of,

Truly wants to bring into being.

You don't ask for something fleeting,

But for the courage to always trust the magic within you,

The confidence to dream your boldest self into existence.

With a sense of hope and profound contentment,

You lift the brass snuffer and extinguish the flame.

A thin trail of smoke rises and dissipates into the quiet air.

You pull back the heavy,

Sateen duvet and arrive atop the cloud-like mattress,

Sinking instantly into the perfect embrace of the cool sheets.

The gentle,

Rhythmic rocking of the train is the last sound your conscious mind registers.

Sleep arrives,

Not as just surrender,

But as a continuation of the journey,

Pulling you deep into the heart of the midnight express,

Finding enchantment,

Finding serenity,

Finding hope,

Finding sleep.

It's time to wake up.

Reviews

The train stories are always my favorites and this one did not disappoint. It was beautiful and very soothing. Thank you!!

Soothing and relaxing as always, thank you, Michelle. 💙

Michelle, what a lovely bedtime story! I would absolutely sign up for your Midnight Pumpkin Express train adventure, with a skylight view! What fun sensory experiences! You got me with hot cider & butternut squash soup! Made me smile 😊 with the Butler’s T-shirt “future ghost” 👻 plus the too cute Vampire pup 🐶 ! The Spa Car topped off this magical adventure & would definitely put me to sleep 💤! I had to listen again this morning, on our Canadian Thanksgiving, so I could enjoy all the autumnal 🍁 moments of this amazing story! Thank you 🙏 kindly for this awesome bedtime story! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

What a fun Halloween adventure. Thank you, Michelle.

Very soothing and relaxing shame I had a call of nature. Loving the autumnal feel x