All aboard for Santa's North Pole Limited
by LISA A. JOHNSON Lancaster/Depew Editor

Children young and old will have another opportunity to take a train ride with Santa and see the scenes of Western New York from the rails.

The 5th annual North Pole Limited will carry passengers from the Amtrak train station in Niagara Falls along the shores of the Niagara River and into Depew. Along the way, Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves will hand out candy canes and presents and sit and chat with the children.

The Western New York Railway Historical Society will sponsor the ride on Amtrak train number 286 on two consecutive Sundays, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10. Those attending will meet at the Depew Amtrak Station at 1:15 p.m. to check in and board buses to Niagara Falls. In the Falls, passengers will meet Santa and board his train for the ride back to Depew, which will take about an hour.

Society member and Santa trip coordinator Bob Snyder said the ride offers great views of Western New York, from Grand Island to the Barge Canal to the Buffalo skyline and Dunn Tire Park.

"There's even a small tunnel we go through; it's very exciting for the children," he said.

Tickets, which include the bus and train fares and time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors and $16 for children ages 3 to 15. Children 2 and younger are free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 662-7002.

Proceeds from the trip will go toward the society's plans to restore the Orchard Park and Williamsville depots.