Christmas joy for kids and families on New Jersey Transit's 'Santa Train'
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- Friday wasn't a typical day on New Jersey Transit, as the "Santa Train" pulled into Secaucus to give kids a holiday-themed ride.
Christmas cheer filled the cars for the annual ride with Santa, hosted by the Railmen for Children.
More than 300 kids who are underprivileged or living with special needs were invited to board the train at Secaucus and take a magical trip with St. Nick.
For first-time riders, the enchantment was real.
"I've seen a snowman, I've seen Rudolph, I've seen Santa's helpers, I saw that they have a courtesy car with some snacks, so it looks like it's going to be a great day for the children and for the families. And as a mother I'm just so excited to see the magic through her eyes," said mother Tashana Martin.
And it's that sense of wonder that motivated train conductors and engineers to start the endeavor in the first place.
"In 1983, myself and a group of other fellows that are not here anymore decided wouldn't it be a nice idea for the railroad to run a train for some kids that had never ridden the train before," said co-founder Joe Phelan.
The "Santa Train" has been running for more than 40 years.
Organizers hope it has the steam to bring holiday cheer well into the future.
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