Santa Claus train in Minersville delights people of all ages

Dec. 12—MINERSVILLE — More than 2,000 people visited the borough train station this weekend for the opportunity to meet Santa Claus on special train rides hosted by Railway Restoration Project 113.

The rides — an annual tradition staged by the Minersville-based nonprofit Project 113, along with Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad — took visitors on 80-minute round-trip rides Saturday and Sunday from Minersville to Schuylkill Haven.

Once aboard the trains, children and adults had the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with other characters such as Frosty the Snowman and Dasher the reindeer.

Arguably the biggest star of the show, however, was the No. 113, the former Central Railroad of New Jersey steam locomotive that is now the pride of Minersville.

The locomotive, which turns 100 years old next year, powered the trains through all six of the trips on Saturday and Sunday.

Matt Fisher, general manager of the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern passenger department, said this year's event represented the highest ridership to date.

"There were over 1,300 people on Saturday, and we're expecting similar numbers here today," he said Sunday.

The rides drew scores of passengers from around the region, many of whom had been on the train rides before.

Elizabeth Hinkel, of Ashland, said the rides are an annual tradition for her family, who enjoy seeing the No. 113 engine at work, along with the opportunity to meet Santa.

Janet Bonenberger, of New Philadelphia, said she and her family are avid train enthusiasts and have always been interested in the steam locomotive. Bonenberger was accompanied by her husband, Tom, and their 10-year-old grandson, Jacob Deiter, along with Jacob's parents.

"I'm happy that the trains are still in operation," Janet Bonenberger said. "It's wonderful they still have the Santa trains for the kids to see."

Before boarding the train, passengers had the chance to shop at a selection of vendors set up at the station.

Representatives from Project 113 offered a variety of train-themed merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, trinkets, calendars and other items, while food options included local vendors B&V BBQ, Sughr Cupcake and Trish's Ice Cream Shop, which sold its signature Christmas candy.

Once aboard, each child received a gift consisting of a cookie, candy or a similar dessert.

Fisher said a large part of the event's appeal comes from the mystique surrounding the No. 113 engine, acknowledging that several dedicated people within Project 113 work each year to improve it.

"People are also looking for things to do in the holiday season," he said. "It's a very affordable thing to do with their whole family."

Part of the proceeds from the train rides will go to Project 113, which helps keep the steam engine and station running.

The Reading Blue Mountain & North Railroad started running the train rides in 2013 as a way to help Project 113.

Looking ahead, Project 113 plans to host a special themed celebration next year for the steam engine's centennial.

The engine was built in June 1923 by the American Locomotive Co. for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, where the train operated for about 30 years.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085