Hundreds of children and adults lined the track at the Ontario Northland Station in North Bay Sunday night, waiting for the brightly decorated ONR Christmas Train carrying Santa to pull into the station, for its first scheduled stop on its northern tour.
The crowd erupted into a chorus of cheers when it got its first glimpse of the train rounding the corner.
For Bobbie-Lyn Shank and her family of five, it has become a Christmas tradition.
"We think it's amazing. We've been here every year since they started doing the Christmas train," said Shank. "I look forward to seeing the look on the children's faces when it comes down the track. They are very excited. We're working our way down to the end of the train to see Santa."
Seven-year-old Alyia Shank was amazed by the look of the train, all done up in Christmas finery.
"I like the lights on the train, and I'm excited to see it because it's really fun to see Santa."
Seeing the Christmas decorations made it feel a little bit more like Christmas for 10-year-old Bryden Shank.
"The lights are really beautiful. There are Christmas trees made out of lights and a lot of snowmen. It's magical."
The train lived up to the hype for 10-year-old Cole Breadmore.
"It's really cool with all the lights and how the Christmas trees are made out of lights. I've seen a train up close before, but not like this. I really like all the decorations on it," said Breadmore.
Amanda English shared the experience with her seven-month-old son. It was a first for both, and English says it won't be the last.
"I think it's really nice to see, and it brings the whole community together. It gets everybody in the Christmas spirit, and it's just a fun time. I was just saying that we'll be back every year, and I'll probably be one of those mom's pushing their kids to the front," laughs English.
In true northern style, a fire barrel kept people warm, and North Bay firefighters volunteered to provide even more memories by helping the youngsters roast marshmallows.
"We were asked if we wanted to be a part of this night and of course we want to be a good community partner, so here we are. We've got a bunch of guys out, we got a fire truck out, so kids are getting tours of the fire truck. It's been a great night. It's a lot of fun. Everybody is in a great mood, everybody is happy. You couldn't ask for more," said Deputy Fire Chief Greg Saunders.
The next stop on the 13 community tour is this evening at 6:45 p.m. at the Temagami Station.
