Polar Express - I'm being a bit thick here...

[Housemum]

Could someone please explain to me who the creepy guy on the roof of the train is supposed to be, I was half watching it with the kids and really can't face watching the whole thing again...

the voice of the main character is Tom Hanks, but I think it's a crap film, so can't tell you anything else....

he is the ghost of a tramp who got hit by a train. I think he may also represent someone, cant remember who, Jesus? May have got that totally wrong?

I thought he was supposed to have some deeper meaning - pretty creepy weirdo otherwise - nice enough if vomit inducing idea of a film (doubting child finds out Santa is real) though perhaps I could go all cats bum mouth about kids who don't understand they shouldn't go off on a train with strangers, and has the guard been CRB checked...