(The following story by Don Hamilton appeared on The Columbian website on December 10.)
COLUMBIA, Wash. — Santa comes to Vancouver on Saturday riding an old steam engine.
The big guy will arrive at the Vancouver depot at 11 a.m. Saturday riding SP&S 700, a 1938 steam engine adorned with Christmas decorations. He’ll then host a Christmas party, courtesy of BNSF Railway, with cookies, cake, hot chocolate, cider and stockings with goodies for children. The railroad is ready for 2,000 visitors.
The train will include the old engine, a tender, a business car and a caboose. Joining Santa will be Dewey, the conductor from “The Polar Express.”
The Christmas train to Vancouver grew out of a BNSF employee holiday open house held for a decade. It proved so popular that in 2004, the railroad opened it up to the public and has thrown the party ever since.
It isn’t a stop on a run between Seattle and Portland, but a party only for Vancouver, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Vancouver is historically a railroad town and there’s much interest in BNSF,” said Gus Melonas, a BNSF spokesman in Seattle. “We’re extremely pleased to bring this train with Santa to the community.”
The railroad is encouraging the public to bring unwrapped presents to be donated to needy children through programs sponsored by the U.S. Marines and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
The party will include Christmas music, railroad memorabilia and the chance to visit with Santa. The steam engine, though, will not be available for public rides.
Also on display will be a new GE 4,400-horsepower diesel locomotive.
The SP&S 700 was built in 1938 and hauled freight and passenger trains throughout the Northwest until its last run from Vancouver to Wishram in 1956. Today, it’s the third-largest operating steam locomotive in North America and is owned by the city of Portland. It’s maintained and operated by the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association and lives in the Brooklyn rail yard in Portland.
If you go
What: SP&S 700 steam locomotive brings Santa to town for a Christmas party.
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Amtrak station, foot of West 11th Street.