At six ‘o’clock sharp to the cheer of children, the Ontario Northland Christmas Train rolled into the station at North Bay, clad in Christmas lights and decorations, carrying the big man in red, Santa Claus, and his little helpers.
Hundreds of members of the community arrived early and gathered at the edge of the rail line in eager wait for the freight train. It was a cold Sunday night, but that didn’t stop old St-Nicholas from greeting the children and talking to them before his big night this Christmas Eve.
People had the chance to board the colourful Christmas Train and take a look at how Santa gets things done at the North Pole while the train was in town—one of many stops across the north.
“Thanks to the support from community organizations throughout the North, we are able to coordinate another successful tour of our Christmas Train,” says Corina Moore, President and CEO of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
“It’s wonderful to be able to visit each community throughout the north and meet families, passengers and rail freight customer that continue to support Ontario Northland.”
The Train, which makes its way all the way to Rouyn-Noranda’s Founderie Horne in Quebec on December 17 as its final stop, started in North Bay before reaching the eleven remaining towns.
The Christmas Train is in its 6th year and includes a new stop this year in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. “This new stop is exciting because we are partnering with our freight customer Glencore to celebrate the holidays and the 90th anniversary of Rouyn-Noranda’s Founderie Horne,” said Moore.
