South Simcoe express chugs along through Tottenham

Santa Claus Express departs from Tottenham (KC Colby/CTV Barrie)

All aboard the South Simcoe Railway in Tottenham.

The South Simcoe Railway stretches about 8 kilometers from Tottenham to Beeton, and the passengers ride inside historic locomotive 703.

The Santa Claus Express brings people from all over. The Nicolson family was up from Toronto to ride the rails and live a dream.

“We've never been here before but my son loves trains so we thought it would be nice to bring him”, says Nicole Nicolson who brought her son.

For the last twenty-two years, Eric Smith has been driving the vintage fleet. His favourite is the old #1057, a 1912 steam engine he wishes he could run in the winter.

“In the old days those locomotives were either working or in the roadhouse under steam. But those were the days and life was a lot easier, now it's not so easy to do it and start them up every morning”, says Smith.

And, the best part about riding the train this time of year? Santa. But for Santa, it’s all about the children this time of year.

“I've been on this for 14 years but it's not the trains I like -- I like the kids”, says Mr. Claus.

A ticket to ride the Santa Claus Express starts at $8.