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Santa ditches sleigh
Express train picks him up east of Fillmore
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Gene Pettus, Fillmore and Western Railway's trainmaster and director of operations, guides the train to the "North Pole," which happens to be near Fillmore. Once there, Santa Claus climbs aboard to meet with children.
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Olivia Lennox of Moorpark watches as Santa makes his way down the aisle. Parents and their children, many wearing pajamas and toting teddy bears, ride the train. Onboard elves and stewards serve cookies and chocolate milk.
"It's a good night for a trip to the North Pole," says Gene Pettus, rubbing his hands together to warm them against the evening chill.
Pettus, Fillmore and Western Railway's trainmaster and director of operations, is in charge of the railway's North Pole Express train on a recent evening.
As its conductor, he guides the train to the "North Pole," which this night is in the countryside just east of Fillmore. Once there, the train picks up Santa Claus and brings him back to the station.
"When you've got a couple hundred children looking to meet Santa tonight, it's a really important job," says Pettus.
Parents and their children, many wearing pajamas and toting teddy bears, climb aboard the festively decorated vintage railroad cars. Pettus gives the "all clear," the whistle sounds and the rhythmic clicking of the train's wheels starts.
The Fillmore and Western Railway has been running the North Pole Express for the past six years. This year it scheduled two trips a night, five days a week from Nov. 24 to Dec. 23.
About 9,000 riders took the hourlong trip last year, according to Kathleen McCreary, the director of sales and marketing for the railway.
Onboard elves and stewards quickly begin passing out Christmas cookies and chocolate milk. The tale of "The Christmas Train" is read by "Dot" the elf, played by Fillmore resident Samantha Mchammel. Many of the passengers are fidgety and don't seem to be listening; they're too excited about seeing Santa.
After a few minutes, lights can be seen in the distance. Santa comes in view and waves as the train slows. With Santa now onboard, Pettus once again gives the "all clear" and the train heads back to Santa's Village.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are greeted by Christmas carols as they make their way through the train handing out candy canes and posing for pictures.
Near the end of the ride, with a hearty "ho, ho, ho," Santa departs the train with an announcement that elicits cheers from all the passengers: "All of the boys and girls on this train are on Santa's nice list!"
Posted by zany on December 24, 2007 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas everybody! Stay safe!
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