Three-year-old Ben Flynn knows exactly what he likes.
Flynn enjoys trains, and he’s a big fan of Santa.
It was no surprise, then, that Flynn’s face lit up like a Christmas light when Saint Nick himself swung by Flynn’s seat to say hello, before the start of the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad’s holiday train ride on Saturday.
Making children like Flynn’s holiday that much more memorable is what motivates Jack McCoy to don the Santa suit.
“When you get that kid that truly believes that you’re (Santa), and they’ll run up and give you a hug, it’s amazing,” McCoy, human resources director for the Reading Railroad.
McCoy said that when the railroad asked for volunteers to be cast members on its annual Santa rides, he jumped at the opportunity.
“My mom passed away 10 years ago, Christmas just never was the same…I wanted to do something special this year to bring it back,” McCoy said. “It’s definitely worked.”
He said he appreciates the nostalgia of the railroad’s passenger cars, where details like the attire of conductors are designed to recall the golden age of trains.
“It’s really neat to be in an old caboose and see how (train employees) worked and lived for weeks, in this little box,” McCoy said.
McCoy’s enthusiasm for trains was matched by Flynn, 3, who was joined by his sister Julia, 6, his parents Rebecca and Nate Flynn, and his grandparents for a Saturday morning ride.
“I’m looking forward to just having some time with the kids, I know he loves his trains, and just having the kids see Santa,” Nate Flynn said.
The trains took passengers on an 80-minute ride from Reading to Port Clinton and back, offering scenic views and Christmas tunes along the way.
As he made his way through the cabins, Santa was joined by his faithful helpers, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, played by Angela Dolla, and the Gingerbread Man, played by Deborah Schwenk.
“I love Christmas, it’s my favorite time of the year,” said Schwenk, “When the children see you walking through, they’re just in awe, they come up and hug you.”
Her husband, Carl Schwenk, played the role of a north pole penguin on other rides but came along Saturday for moral support.
He said Christmas has always been an extra special affair for his family.
“Mom and dad just loved Christmas,” Carl Schwenk said. “We get together and remember… (My mom) got her ashes spread at a Christmas tree farm…she always wanted to be near Christmas.”
Cultivating a new love of Christmas—and trains—was Rich Tornielli, who brought his son, Wesson, 4, to enjoy the ride.
“We came last year and (Wesson) loved it,” Tornielli said. “He loves trains.”
The ride’s popularity is undeniable—train conductors noted that seats for Saturday’s morning ride were sold out.
Caitlin and Kevin Knerr, of Leesport, also said they enjoyed their time with their son, Colson Knerr, 3.
“How excited the kids get for stuff like this, this kind of stuff I look forward to,” Knerr said.
Surrounded by families looking to introduce their kids to the Christmas spirit, McCoy recalled holiday moments spent with his parents.
“They always made it very special for us, they made sure we understood the spirit of the holiday,” McCoy said. “That it isn’t about the receiving, it’s about the giving.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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