When Santa Claus first started riding the rails at Strasburg Rail Road a half century ago, Strasburg's station was hardly bigger than a phone booth and the engine pulling the passenger cars was powered by diesel, not the trademark steam the railroad is known for today.

Back in those early years, children could visit the jolly old elf only two days during the Christmas season. Today's train runs six days and makes up to eight 45-minute runs a day.

The railroad was a shoestring enterprise, manned by a staff of volunteers. Its holiday decorations, with chains of construction paper and popcorn, reflected that fact.

Today, the Strasburg Rail Road is a thriving business, dedicated to preserving the history of the steam locomotive. At Christmas time, the station comes alive with cheerful decorations. The first class parlor car even boasts its own Victorian-styled tree. (And don't forget the much anticipated tree atop the 30-foot water tower!)

Fifty years ago, visitors came, rode and went home. Today an entire family-friendly complex has grown up around the station, with shops, restaurants, a miniature steam train, hand-powered pump cars and cranky cars for the littlest train lovers.

But one thing hasn't changed.

Santa still rides the rails at Strasburg Rail Road. And he's doing it again beginning this weekend during Santa's Paradise Express rail excursions.

While Santa is very busy this time of year, he manages to make time for his annual train rides. It's something, he says, he always looks forward to. (He also squeezed in a quick interview after a long day at the workshop.)

"I still have a fascination with trains," says Claus. "Trains and Christmas are always linked. And when you bring a little kid on the train and see their eyes light up as they tilt their head back and look around, it's just so neat."

Claus enjoys interacting with little passengers on the train, (and during its run, he'll see between 10,000 and 11,000 people) rather than at some other locations.

"It's a family-type situation," he explains. "Some children are a little apprehensive about me. On the train they're with their family. It makes it easier. If they're shy and see siblings and parents talking to Santa, then they know I must be OK. It's a little more relaxed."

Santa and his helper Snowflake visit with each child on the nine cars personally during the trip. And each child gets a little gift from the jolly old elf.

Even so, Claus says, occasionally he sees a bit of doubt on the faces of his young fans. "I ask them who they think I am," he says. "If a child wants to touch my beard, that's OK. That's what it's there for."

Families are welcome to snap quick pictures of Santa, but a professional photographer also captures a memory during each interaction, which are available to purchase after the ride.

Kathy Gochenaur, who coordinates Santa's Paradise Express, remembers looking at some of those pictures and being struck by one thing in particular.

"If you see a picture of Santa that was taken at 11 a.m. and at 3 p.m. and at 7 p.m., each time he looks like that child is the only child on the train. He's the real deal."

Her husband Rick, a 20-year member of the Strasburg team, agrees.

"When he's on that train, he loses touch with everything else that's going on. Our Santa is more than being in character. It's truly a part of him. It's part of the magic. It's really real."

Over the years, Santa has seen many of the same faces on the Strasburg train. Families tend to come back year after year.

Rick Gochenaur thinks he knows why.

"In a world where everybody's going in different directions," he says, "on the Santa Train they're all going the same way — together. Santa represents something that's good and honest and caring."

Santa's Paradise Express

Fri. 7 p.m.

Hourly departures

Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

(Cont. next Fri.-Sun.)

$16 adults, $10 children 3-11, $4 children under 3

$25 for first class

Strasburg Rail Road Route 741, Strasburg

687-7522
www.strasburgrailroad.com