Merry Christmas everyone! The CSAO heads back west to Jamesburg seen here crossing the Lake Manalapan Trestle.

The Santa Train waits at its first stop - Gibson City, IL. Note the moon still high in the bright winter morning sky.

First stop of its 2006 we find the Illinois Central 101 in downtown Gibson City , Il

Long before placement in the bunker at Strasburg, PRR 1223 steps down Water St. with the Santa Claus Special at Lancaster, PA in December, 1966. PRR Class D16sb.

NS 5280 leads the Santa Train over Wemrock Rd. on this ex-PRR truss bridge. Only feet away from this spot is the spring where Molly Pitcher gathered water for troops during the Battle of Monmouth ... (more)

The annual Santa Train cuts through some apple orchards as it nears its first stop, the town of Freehold.

The annual Santa Train approaches the Highbridge Rd. crossing, the border between Englishtown and Manalapan.

The last light of the day hits the front of this Jamesburg firetruck and NS 5280 while stopped in Jamesburg.

Two firetrucks escort the Santa Train through Jamesburg as people on both sides watch and listen. The firetrucks had their sirens going as CSXT 4412 was laying on the horn, an amazing sound. Had t... (more)

After the 2+ hour stop in Freehold, the power is run around the train and redecorated now with CSXT 4412 on the point. The train is heading west towards Jamesburg for another stop.

Santa sits in his recliner to take photos with the kids with his sleigh a.k.a a GP38-2 behind him.

Santa waves to the people of Freehold and about a dozen photographers awaiting his arrival. A special thanks to the Freehold Police officer for flagging the crossing and trying his best to get out... (more)

A full side view of the Conrail Santa Train consisting of NS GP38-2, CSX GP40-2 and caboose.

A flock of seagulls rest on the frozen part of Lake Manalapan, as the annual Santa Train slowly rolls down the opposite shore.