(The following article by Olivia Fortson was posted on the Charlotte Observer website on December 16.)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the early ’30s, the Southern Railroad began giving out gifts of candy and fruit to children whose parents worked there, and to children who lived along the railroad.
“They did that because the railroad business, even during the Depression, was doing well,” says Elizabeth Smith, executive director of the N. C. Transportation Museum in Spencer.
The museum’s annual Santa Train is a nod to that tradition. On Saturday and Sunday, children and their parents can climb aboard the Santa Train for a 25-minute ride.
Once inside the museum’s 57 acres, guests should head to Barber Junction Visitors Center. The center is a circa-1896 train depot from the town of Barber, moved to the museum in 1980.
After everyone is on the train, Santa arrives on one of the museum’s antique fire trucks with the siren blaring.
“We have the best Santa,” says Misty Ebel, the museum’s public information officer. “He goes through the whole train and stops and talks to kids. He’ll ask what they want for Christmas. He has helpers who give out oranges and candy canes.”
Some of the kids will hand Santa a letter or a list.
All children must have at least one adult with them. The late morning and early afternoon rides are the most popular.
“They can have 200 or 300 kids on them,” says Ebel. “Others may have 100 on them.”
Before or after the ride, children can go to a classroom area where they can make ornaments to take home with them.
“The ornaments are in transportation shapes — planes, trains and cars,”
says Ebel. “They can put glitter on them. Some of them get very elaborate. And sometimes we have parents who will join in making them.”
If you’re just coming to ride the train, budget about an hour. If you want to look at all the exhibits, that can take half a day.
If you only have time for one exhibit, Ebel recommends the Roundhouse because it’s a big hit with children.
“They love seeing the big steam locomotive and cabooses,” she says.
The only refreshments on site are vending machines. But across the street from the museum are several restaurants, and nearby Salisbury has other dining options.
People who come once usually return.
“There are a lot of people that come back on a regular basis while their children are still young,” she says.
Why does Ebel think the event a success? “It’s something different than going to see Santa at the mall, and you don’t have to wait in line.”