Snowflakes gently fall in a rural, mountain setting while a train whistle sounds in the distance.

It may sound like a scene from “The Polar Express” or a Currier and Ives print, but it’s really just everyday life at the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex.

On the National Register of Historic Places, the Tudor Revival inn is now the only flag stop on Amtrak’s Empire Builder Line, and although the train might not stop every day, the rail still plays an important — and growing — role in the life of the Inn.

“In addition to rooms in the inn itself, we offer guests the opportunity to stay in several historic rail cars,” said Elsie Wright, assistant general manager at the Izaak Walton. “The cars have been renovated and converted into rustic or luxury suites and are a great way to relax and enjoy some history.”

In 1939 there were big plans for the town of Essex, thanks to its location on the Great Northern Railway and close proximity to Glacier National Park.

It was a perfect location for a third entrance to the park, and on Nov. 15, 1939, the Izaak Walton Inn was opened to serve future visitors and rail workers. With 29 rooms, 10 bathrooms, lobby, dining room, kitchen with two-ton cook stove and more, the hotel cost $40,000 to build, was “modern in every detail,” and sure to please visitors.

Then the United States entered World War II and plans for the new entrance never materialized, leaving Essex as the “Inn Between” and not much else.

Although passenger trains no longer regularly stop in Essex, it is still an important stop for BNSF Railway freight trains that need helper engines to push the heavy trains over Marias Pass.

“We get a lot of rail fans here who just go crazy over the trains.” Wright said. “Kids love the train cars, too. We’re thinking about getting more, but right now we’re just scoping out the market. We’ll see how things go.”

Last year the inn added to its complement of rail cars with the donation of two cabooses by the Billings Depot.

“The cabooses were donated to us because they were too costly to maintain and the city was making room for a new Trailhead Plaza,” Wright said.

The new Northern Pacific Bay Window Caboose and The Great Northern x215 Car joined the Inn’s four other cabooses and locomotive.

Although the Inn is open year-round, winter visitors get to experience the area in a whole new way thanks to extensive, groomed ski trails for classic, skate-ski and telemark skiing.

“You can generally ski here from late November to mid-April and we groom more than 30 kilometers of track for you to enjoy, so you can really get out and see some great scenery,” Wright said.

Beyond the groomed trails, the inn’s location between Glacier National Park and the Great Bear Wilderness means there are thousands of acres of nearby backcountry areas to explore.

“We lead guided ski and snowshoe tours in the park and people really enjoy it,” Wright said. “We offer routes for everyone from basic beginners to advanced skiers, and even if you have no experience skiing, you can snowshoe if you can walk.”

Visitors also can learn new skills with cross-country ski lessons for individuals or groups.

“It’s not just about learning a new skill, it’s about having fun,” Wright said. “That’s pretty much what we’re all about here; having fun in an amazing place. We get visitors from all over the world, all year round, but in the winter, we get quite a few locals from the Flathead Valley and the other side of the Divide, just out to enjoy themselves.”

Reporter Melissa Walther may be reached at 758-4474 or by email at mwalther@dailyinterlake.com.