Fritz the Dog is a Bull terrier puppet that appears in Hero Boy's room on top of the back-right post of his bed in both the book and film. In the film, it can be seen shaking on the bedpost when the Polar Express pulls up at Hero Boy's house.
Fritz is based on a real-life dog that was owned by Chris Van Allsburg's brother-in-law. The dog has appeared in all of Allsburg's books, sometimes as a toy like in The Polar Express and sometimes as a real dog. Ironically, the real-life dog was named Winston.
| Objects | |
| Billy's present • Ebenezer Scrooge puppet • Emergency brake • The first gift of Christmas • Fritz the Dog • Hot chocolate • Northern lights • Other presents • Record players • Santa’s sack • Silver bell • Tickets | |