The Placid Express: A Night Train To Sleep

Tonight’s cozy bedtime story for grown-ups, The Placid Express, is your ticket to sleep on a luxury double-decker train journey through snow-covered mountains. Travel with a companion of your choice aboard this night train, adorned in icy blue and silver hues that reflect the ambiance of a winter wonderland inside and out.

With an elegant observation dining room, a serene onboard spa, and a plush private suite, this enchanting escape offers the mental holiday you deserve. It’s time to dream away.

Transcript

This is your sleep story,

Designed to help you unwind,

Relax,

And drift into a peaceful slumber.

You are listening to The Placid Express,

A once-in-a-lifetime train journey through snow-covered mountains surrounding an icy blue glacial lake.

This winter wonderland-themed train is a reflection of the magical landscape,

Bringing the most comfortable and luxurious place to observe the snowy world outside as it rushes by.

Board the double-decker locomotive with a companion,

Pampering yourself with an elegant meal in the glass-enclosed observation car,

Followed by a peppermint-infused spa experience.

Return to your private duplex suite with its sparkling white and icy blue decor,

Ready to drift into a peaceful sleep as the train weaves its way to the most soothing escape.

It's time to dream away.

Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I'm Michelle and I invite you to lay back and lean in as if listening to a long-time friend.

I offer you kind encouragement and nurturing ideas,

Always keeping your best interests at heart.

Every step of this journey,

I'll be here to guide you.

Feel free to adjust any details to fit your needs and desires.

Your imagination is the ticket to tranquil scenes and healing dreams.

Honor yourself and know that you may fall asleep whenever you like.

Take some time to ease into this delicious moment.

Envision your room morphing into the private train car cabin.

Appreciate the sanctuary of this space and your mind.

Let out a big sigh,

Releasing the weight of the day and its lingering effects.

Slowly inhale through your nose,

Imagining the sweet,

Wintry aromas of crackling fires mingling with the crisp,

Clean scent of fresh snow.

Envision snow crystals catching in the moonlight.

Sparkling like diamonds as they fall on an icy blue lake.

Feel the motions of a train rocking you into a profound state of peace.

Countdown with me as we let go of the day together.

Continue to inhale,

Yawn and sigh at your preferred pace.

Each new breath becomes deeper and more rewarding.

Five,

Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose,

Connecting with the aromas of this wintry scene.

Four,

A profound sense of appreciation takes hold as you thank yourself for showing up.

And taking this hiatus from life's demands.

Three,

A wave of comfort and warmth spreads from head to toe as you feel deeply safe and cared for.

Two,

Your muscles soften,

Your lips relax into a gentle sigh,

And you find it so easy to surrender.

One,

You return to yourself and all your needs with a promise that tonight,

They will not only be met,

But far exceeded as you inhale,

Yawn and sigh one more time.

Three,

Your breath falls back into a soft,

Sleepy rhythm.

And with that,

It's time for the story to begin.

There are certain destinations we can reach with ease.

Bucket list travels that take a little time or planning,

But always feel attainable eventually.

Then there are the places we dream of visiting,

Yet never quite reach,

Where the idea fades before the opportunity arises.

But even yet,

There are the truly rare destinations,

The ones the world hasn't perfected,

Existing only in our dreams.

They come to us in recurring visions,

So vivid and familiar that it's hard to believe we've never been there before.

The Placid Express is one of these magical oases.

It speaks to a universal longing,

The yearning for a place where the coldness of the world is softened by love and luxury.

Here,

You will always feel safe and at home when these dreams come to be,

Or even if they never do,

It hardly matters.

They always feel as real as our next breath when we revisit them in the quiet of our sleepy minds.

Envision standing on the train platform,

Bathed in the fiery orange glow of overhead heat lamps within a glass-enclosed waiting room.

Every detail of your Placid Express journey has been carefully crafted from the seamless booking process to checking in to receive a customized parka as a complimentary welcome gift.

In the weeks leading up to your departure,

Handwritten postcards arrived in the mail keeping your mind anchored in the anticipation of the escape ahead.

Each note featured a new detail about the train,

Awakening your imagination and breathing life into the most mundane or frustrating moments of your days.

One of the greatest keys to happiness is to have something to look forward to and the Placid Express has been that something for a long time.

The trip began before you stepped onto the platform in Frostmere Valley and will stay with you long after it ends.

The station is nestled in the charming valley village of Frostmere,

A gathering point for over a century where skiers and snow lovers have awaited trains to mountainside resorts and rustic chalets.

Today,

Like most January days,

Offers a picture of winter's frozen beauty.

Lacy Frost lines the edges of the tall cathedral windows on the stone station building,

Refracting the afternoon sunlight into tiny prisms rolling foothills give way to chalets perched on snowy slopes,

Their roofs dusted with glistening powder.

The air is filled with a pleasing aroma of fir trees and wood smoke spiraling from chimneys into the crisp sky where wispy clouds drift across the deep blue.

The chill in the air mirrors the icy crystals that speckle the frozen blades of grass across the rolling foothills.

In spring and summer,

The emerald green valley is covered with a rainbow blanket of wildflowers.

Another world entirely from the wintry wonderland you experience now.

You take it all in,

Feeling the excitement building in your chest with soft flutters of hope as a smile persists on your face.

You open your new travel wallet,

Another item purchased in anticipation of this journey.

Your passport is protected within,

As well as the ornate ticket for the Placid Express.

It is decorated with elegant embossed gold scrolls and a realistic illustration of the luxurious overnight train.

A sense of wonder fills the room and the small gathering of passengers waiting alongside you.

Introductions are made easy,

As the other guests wear similar custom parkas with their names embroidered on the lapels.

There's a couple celebrating 50 years of love,

Holding hands and chatting about their long-ago honeymoon when they traveled Europe by train for two months.

Two best friends,

Their laughter filling the space,

Have shared with everyone that this is the first leg of a year dedicated to dreamy travels.

And then there's a 10-year-old girl and her aunt,

Who use every winter vacation to expose the young girl to something new and sophisticated.

There is an easy camaraderie amongst all these strangers,

Soon to be friends.

An overhead announcement declares the Placid Express is due to arrive in two minutes.

Everyone steps outside the glass waiting room.

Their breath becomes visible in the cold as they chat quietly.

You pull your parka tight around you,

Its puffy marshmallow-like layers insulating you from the frigid air.

A scarf is wrapped snugly around your neck,

And beneath it all,

You've layered for warmth,

Thermal leggings,

A sweater so soft it feels like an embrace,

And sturdy boots with a fleecy lining.

Amidst the other travelers is a dear companion you've chosen to join you.

Perhaps this is someone you've known for a while,

Or someone you've reconnected with,

Or have longed to share an adventure with.

They stand beside you,

Their eyes bright with anticipation,

A smile playing on their lips.

There's a spark in their eyes,

A quick,

Knowing glance that conveys a connection even words would struggle to replicate.

This loved one reminds you of the parts of yourself you sometimes forget.

The fun,

Curious,

And calm aspects that can get lost in the daily grind.

But here,

You feel parts of yourself coming back to life with a deep sense of fulfillment and appreciation.

Then,

As if on cue,

A low whistle echoes through the valley,

Announcing the arrival of the Placid Express.

Heads turn,

And a hush falls over the platform,

As the traveling best friends document the cinematic arrival with their cameras.

The double-decker train emerges slowly from around a bend.

Its sleek exterior has anotherworldly shine.

Its pearly shades of icy blue and silvery white catch the light,

Turning the train into a moving mirror reflecting brilliantly hopeful rays of white gold sunlight.

Hand-painted snowflakes decorate its sides,

Each one unique and shimmering as the train glides to a gentle stop.

Two attendants step down to greet you with warm smiles at the front of the train as all your luggage is loaded in the back and brought to your suites.

In keeping with the frosty ambiance of the Placid Express,

The attendants wear silvery blue velvet blazers and sleek ivory slacks that have a snowy sheen.

They check your tickets and then greet everyone by name.

You ascend the sapphire blue stairs into the entrance corridor.

Frosted sconces cast glowing icy patterns on the polished light blue wooden walls.

The attendants help everyone hang their parkas in a white closet.

You take a seat on a light blue and white jacquard covered bench as they assist in helping remove your heavy boots in exchange for pillowy slippers.

They drape plush snowy white shawls around your shoulders.

A wave of electricity radiates through you as you anticipate the coziness of the evening about to unfold.

You and your companion lead the way into the observation room where a server in similar icy blue satin attire holds an opal tray of steamy welcome drinks.

Your hands hug around an oversized mug containing a decadent concoction with clouds of cream swirling atop a warm liquid.

The flavors are personalized to your preferences that you submitted when booking,

And the first sip is enough to melt away the chill.

The decor reflects the train's wintry theme with shades of silver,

Icy blue,

And sparkling white.

Each detail,

From the intricate snowflake carvings on the panels to the velvet trim on the seats,

Speaks of elegance and thoughtfulness.

Every train car boasts its own special homage to winter,

But the observation car sparkles the most.

A panoramic glass ceiling stretches above you,

Offering uninterrupted views of towering evergreens dappled with snow.

The rich,

Saturated hues of sunset filter through their canopy,

Casting dappled patterns on the downy white carpet.

You and your companion settle into a booth.

A candelabra in the table's center resembles icicles that come to a flaming tip in a beautiful combination of fire and ice.

The train departs,

Leaving the sleepy village of Frostmere behind.

The rhythm of the wheels on the tracks creates a soothing chug as chalets and the village are replaced with wilderness.

Frosted trees give way to frozen waterfalls and snow-dusted cliffs.

A glacial lake comes into view,

Its glassy surface a frozen expanse of aquamarine that mirrors the shifting magenta and lavender sunset sky.

The train hugs the edge of the lake as the last orange-gold rays of sunlight kiss each snow crystal,

And the sun's reflection scatters like frozen gemstones.

You revel in this time.

There is no place more comfortable or warm to take in these views.

A herd of moose cautiously makes their way across the frozen lake,

Oblivious to your presence.

The sky deepens into lush bands of indigo and purple as the train chugs along,

Soothing you with its gentle motion.

And the clicking of the train against the tracks.

A woman in a long,

White,

Satin trumpet-shaped gown and a faux-fur white bolero jacket sits in the corner of the observation room on a tall stool with her guitar.

She has a glamorous,

Old Hollywood vibe.

Her shiny black hair is elegantly slicked back into a French twist,

Accented by a crystal snowflake clip.

She balances her guitar as her long fingers begin to play a jazz melody that fills the room.

The first course of the evening is served as the lights dim and snow begins to fall.

Every dish,

Crafted with care,

Reflects the preferences and comforts shared during the booking process.

A personal touch that feels both indulgent and intimate.

The servers move gracefully through the car,

Seamlessly and attentive,

Ensuring that every need is met with quiet warmth.

You look at your companion and smile,

Inhaling the savory and sweet smells with a tenderness in your heart.

What a beautiful moment to share.

A new memory to return to whenever you need to recall how kind and wonderful this world can be.

Each bite carries the essence of winter gatherings and festive traditions,

Reflecting the time-honored customs of this mountainous region,

A true taste of its heritage.

Some flavors replicate the meals savored centuries ago by those who once called this storied land home.

A contented headiness takes hold as a popular winter jazz standard echoes from the elegant guitarist who plays like an angel in the soft candlelight.

Snow accumulates on the observation ceiling,

At times blown away by the alpine winds.

You glance around at the other passengers,

Taking in their stories without a word,

Noticing everyone seems satiated and far calmer than when you first met.

The train climbs higher into the snow-capped mountains as an attendant arrives,

Reminding you of your spa appointment.

You leave the observation and dining car behind,

The soft conversations and clinking silverware and glasses fading as you step into the hall.

A soft,

Almost magical glow reflects off the light blue silk wallpaper that stretches along the hall.

It shimmers,

Its delicate hue creating a tranquil,

Dreamy atmosphere as you make your way toward your suite.

Although you walk,

Finding your balance in the gentle motion,

You feel as if you are wafting through the space every footstep met with a white,

Shaggy rug beneath you.

The ambience surpasses even your greatest expectations when poring over brochures and receiving postcards detailing this experience.

The attendant guides you through a series of two train cars of duplex suites with names like Snowfall Haven and the Winterfall Room.

You arrive at your shared cabin,

The Winter Garden Suite,

And step inside with your companion.

The space features high ceilings and a loft bedroom above with a snowy white canopy bed below.

Designed with a sole purpose of providing a winter sanctuary,

Elegant icy blue satin duvet covers and fluffy snow-white blankets adorn the canopy bed and loft bed.

Aquamarine club chairs surround an indoor fire pit encased in glass.

Silver trim catches the dim ethereal light gleaming softly against the frosty backdrop.

Artistic lamps resembling delicate ice crystals cast a gentle moonlit glow across the room.

Their illumination cool as if the very light is a reflection of the snow outside.

Soft birch logs are stacked near a bookcase,

Their pale wood adding a touch of nature's winter beauty.

Your eyes are drawn to ethereal paintings of snow-dusted white roses at night.

Their petals captured in a quiet frozen moment.

Delicate,

Pure,

And timeless.

The silky petals give promise of life beneath the snow.

Shimmering white blackout curtains frame the serenely dancing snow outside as the train descends around the frozen lake once more.

Frost peers on the windows with perfect,

Fragile beauty.

Sleepiness comes in gentle waves and you sigh softly as you locate your luggage carefully placed on a rack.

You discover two fluffy white robes hanging in an open armoire and you and your companion change into them.

And with a glint in their eye,

They smile and you do as well.

Both deeply aware of how lucky you are for this enchanting night as you exit the winter garden suite and are led to the caboose which houses the two-level spa.

The spa is an escape within an escape that offers views of the snowy landscape as it speeds by.

You and your companion settle side by side in a private massage room and the attendants gently guide you through the process.

They anoint your body with mentholated oils,

Cool at first touch,

Sending a refreshing tingle through your skin.

The cool sensation gradually transforms into gentle warmth,

Seeping into your muscles with soothing relief.

This perfect harmony of coolness and warmth dissolves tension you hadn't even realized you were carrying.

The peppermint sugar clay mask comes next,

Tingling against your skin.

And as it settles,

Starts to warm,

Releasing the fresh wintry scent into the air.

You let your mind drift as the spa attendants continue their work,

Moving to your neck and shoulders,

Working out the tension that's still clinging to you.

The head,

Neck,

And shoulder massage is gentle but firm,

Each stroke unraveling the knots in your muscles until you feel like you could melt into the table.

The world outside seems so distant,

And the quiet sound of spa music fills the air,

Accompanied by the constant sounds of a train in motion.

A steamy washcloth is placed on your face,

Scrubbing away the mask.

The attendant then focuses on your scalp,

Giving it a gentle massage.

It's like nothing you've ever experienced before.

You feel an opening between your eyes as muscles release.

The rhythm of these healing hands grounds you.

The attendant pours a small ring of water over your scalp with strong,

Pulsating pressure.

You close your eyes,

Allowing the world outside to fade away completely,

And surrender to the sensation of total relaxation.

Once finished,

They gently wrap your head in warm towels,

Inviting you to linger as long as you need before venturing to the next room.

You savor this moment,

Feeling utterly renewed.

The gentle warmth spreads as blood circulates to often overlooked areas,

Including the crown of your head,

And you feel an openness to possibilities.

After the massage,

You and your companion are led to the healing baths on the second floor.

The scent of peppermint and rosemary infusions fills the air,

Blending with the crispness of mountain air and freshly fallen snow.

The air drifts in through a slightly cracked window,

Carrying the essence of the surrounding peaks.

In the German tradition of Lufthansa,

The air flows freely,

Refreshing the room with a cool draught.

The delicate balance of winter's herbs and nature's nocturnal purity invites you to breathe deeply and unwind.

The space is airy and calming.

Tiny icicle lights line the perimeter of the frosty glass dome overhead.

You can't help but take a deep breath,

Feeling the quiet refreshment of it.

All settle into your bones.

Every element here speaks to relaxation.

A lush,

Pale blue velvet curtain divides the space,

Creating a privacy wall between two deep,

Clawfoot bathtubs that await you and your companion.

Steam rises around you like soft fog as you dip a finger into the inviting water.

The water is hot with a special blend of healing salts and peppermint oil.

The mint leaves delicately float on the water along with white rose petals as you fully submerge yourself in the bath.

The gentle sound of the water lapping at the edge of the bath and a train in motion causes a bone-deep sense of peace.

As you lean back into the bath pillow,

You gather a cool gel eye mask from a wooden shelf alongside the tub and place it on your tired eyes.

The contrast of this cool air and mask with the hot water creates the optimum balance of sensations that bring you into a deep state of rest.

You soak for some time,

Getting lost in lucid dreams of the mountainside and its beauty.

When you remove the cooling mask and open your eyes,

You feel as if you are still in a dream.

Gathering a towel from a nearby heated trunk,

You wrap it around you and find your way to the sauna.

Your companion is already settled comfortably on the top wooden bench and you find a spot just below them.

The rich scent of the wood conjures thoughts of cozy chalets and healing forests.

You feel the tiny water droplet evaporating into the hot,

Dry air.

One by one,

Hyper-aware of every unique sensation.

You close your eyes,

Letting the heat work its magic,

Loosening your muscles further.

And as you sit there,

You feel yourself let go even more.

Before you fall asleep,

Your companion whispers that it may be a good time to return to your suite.

Once back in the winter garden suite,

The snow is still falling and the world outside is quiet and soft.

You open the door to find the fire pit ablaze and a silver tray with two cups of tea waiting for you both.

The sleepy tonic,

Vanilla,

Chamomile,

And spearmint,

Fills the air with its calming scent.

You settle in a velvet club chair across from your companion,

Taking in the snowy views one last time.

Savoring each sip,

The warmth spreading through you.

You recognize how much you've slowed down throughout this journey.

You've allowed yourself the time to appreciate each indulgence.

Your mind clear of disruptive thoughts.

The world outside is still,

Peaceful,

And pristine.

You enjoy the view once more.

With a knowing it will inspire the dreams to come.

And then your companion draws the curtains closed.

They say goodnight,

Slipping away into the loft.

As you change into pajamas,

Left folded on the bed stand with a note written in elegant script,

The same penmanship of those postcards received before your arrival.

It reads,

Welcome aboard the Placid Express as the train glides through winter's beauty.

May your dreams be as peaceful as the snow outside.

And may you enjoy the best sleep.

Once beneath the heavy duvet and fluffy blanket,

The crisp percale sheets hug you in quiet luxury.

And you move through the night on the Placid Express to dreams unexplored.

Finding peace,

Finding comfort,

Finding bliss,

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Goodnight.

Reviews

Thank you Michelle. Your stories are great. How do you create all the stories. Your stories have a flow that is very soothing and bright.

So beautiful! The train stories are my favorites. Thanks!

Wow: what are the odds of experiencing a spa twice in the same night under totally different circumstances and in totally different ways? From the city of Bath to the super luxury of a “polar express” train! A spa in a train?! Wow. Wouldn’t it be nice to experience that in “real life” as well? Thank you, Michelle🙏🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🙏🏻

What a wonderful, feel good story on the train & seeing beautiful scenery. Now I want to make a spa appointment after the relaxing massage & bath. Thank you, Michelle.

Michelle, I absolutely loved this bedtime story about a winter train ride! I recall my parents taking a scenic train ride from Toronto to Vancouver. They took their car as well. My Dad had a fobia about flying and had an important work meeting in Vancouver & I believe this trip took 4 days. My Mom said the views were spectacular, especially through the Rockies. I have only taken one train ride (47 years ago) from Toronto to Moncton, with my Grandma, to visit her sister. We slept in our seat. Of course I fell sound asleep listening to your soothing voice, and will have to listen again to get the story. At the beginning when you wrote about one of the couples was celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, made me think that I would love to take a train journey on our 50th anniversary next year. We haven’t had a holiday since I retired in 2020, as we are babysitting our granddaughters. Now our eldest daughter is having her first child in two weeks. At least I can dream about a train trip adventure with you! Thank you kindly for this amazing opportunity to dream away! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗