Santa Claus Train
December 6, 2008
The Santa Maria Valley Railroad ran four Santa Train Specials on Saturday, December 6, 2008. Children of all ages boarded the 1926 Pullman Cafe Observation Car La Condesa at the Betteravia Industrial Park, home of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad for a four-mile trip to the Guadalupe Interchange where Santa came in from the North Pole. Santa visited with all of the excursion guests on the ride back and gave out candy canes. Afterwards excursion guests were treated to hot cocoa, lemonade, and cookies.
Friends volunteers assisted with all phases of operations. A thank you to Dale Blakey, Ernie Blakey, Harry Harlow, Mary Harlow, Cathy Larsen, Dini O'Roark, Kevin O'Roark, Ginny Orcutt-Clenard, Mike Orcutt-Clenard, Walt Figaro, Nathan Paul, Dave Rohr, Gary See, and Gary Van Aken. Paul Deis did a terrific job of arranging to bring Santa Claus from the North Pole. From the SMVRR Jim McEntire served as engineer and Rafael Sanchez as conductor along with Leah Figaro and Rob Himoto.
Photo credits go to Gary Van Aken, Ray Himoto, and Rob Himoto.
Santa Train excursion guests included Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad families and families from several of SMVRR's freight customers.
See more pictures on the SMVRR web site.