The Holiday Express

Posted 8/21/12

As luck would have it, I got out early on Friday two weeks before Christmas and could catch the first get-away train to Port Jervis, the 4:05 out of Hoboken. This unseasonable weather we have been …

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The Holiday Express

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As luck would have it, I got out early on Friday two weeks before Christmas and could catch the first get-away train to Port Jervis, the 4:05 out of Hoboken. This unseasonable weather we have been having made this a great night to get some shopping in, but my heart was just not in it. Something about Christmas in the Upper Delaware Valley to me means cold noses, rosy cheeks, running from store to store with just my red wool scarf around my neck. For most of this season I have found myself still in short-sleeve shirts at work. But no matter; I had my shopping list in hand determined to make the best of it once I was off the train.

There was a good crowd of families waiting to board the train with me at the stop in Secaucus: parents with bags of presents already wrapped and heading to the country for a visit, maybe to see Grandma and Grandpa before the big day the following week. Blended families, as they are these days, cannot always celebrate on the day, and Christmas is sometimes a three-week celebration. The kids are always excited for a train ride, hoping to see snow when they get up north.

I am not a frequent rider of this train during this season, so little did I know the treat in store for these kids. Apparently, as a way of giving back, the regular riders of this train have made a tradition of collecting candy and small toys especially for the two Friday trips before Christmas. They have enlisted the service of the two regular conductors in their plan.

We pulled out of the Secaucus station. The next stop is 35 minutes away. During this time, Santa and his elves put their plan into motion. The train whistle blew four very long blasts, and the conductor came on the mic to say in a thunderous voice, “Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas, boys and girls, welcome aboard the Holiday Express! Stay right in your seats; we have a surprise for you.” You could see the eyes light up on every child as they sat up in their seats looking in all directions.

Next I heard sleigh bells and Christmas music. As the doors opened, four passengers dressed in elf headgear and holiday red sweaters come busting into the car, followed closely by both conductors dressed in Santa outfits. The first two elves carried a music box and were ringing huge silver sleigh bells, the largest I have ever seen. The next two elves handed out little holiday bags with candy to every boy and girl on the train. The Santas followed up along these lines, each trying to outdo the other with his version of Santa’s laugh, his signature “Ho ho ho.” These conductors were a good team, working the cars one to the left and one to the right to make sure each kid got a present. Color-coded wrapping paper helped Santa make sure his gift found the right mark.

This treat went off without a hitch, and before you knew it they were out of the car and off to the next, all the way to the back of the train and then out of sight. They did not come back for an encore; they were not seen again in the cars at all. At the first stop they were both standing on the platform back in uniform, saying good night to the passengers as they disembarked.

This is true Christmas magic in this day and age; it’s nice to see some traditions are still being perpetuated. I guess it’s always politically correct to put a smile on a person’s face, even if it’s only for one station stop. From my family to yours, happy holidays, merry Christmas and all the best for a wonderful new year.

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