Oceanside CA- The Coaster Holiday Express rolled in to Oceanside today with Santa, the Mrs., and the Grinch on board. There were two departure times and the six car trains were filled to capacity with families making the 90 minute round trip to the Sorrento Valley Station. Santa Claus and his friends went car to car greeting all the passengers, posed for photos and found out what the youngsters were hoping for this Christmas.
Santa’s list from young passengers on the train was diverse with practical and unique items. Five year old Teddy Martin of Carlsbad, wants a race track and underwear for Christmas while his little sister Hannah, 2, asked Santa for 5 cats and 5 rabbits. Dominic Marchese of Temecula is hoping for the popular Xbox but his little sister, Natalia would be happy with stuffed animals. Future firefighter, from Solona Beach, three year old Colin Haney asked for a lifeguard quad and an orange traffic safety cone. Colin is looking forward to next years Holiday Train ride and gave this years ride, two thumbs up.
Tickets for this years trains went on sale Wednesday, November 13 at 8 AM. The tickets for the 10:00AM departure were sold out by 8:30 that morning and the second train was sold out later that afternoon. Over 1,400 people took advantage of the event this year, the eighth year NCTD has run the special holiday train. A spokesperson for NCTD said they will evaluate this years response and are looking at adding more days and trains next year, for the popular ride. NCTD is also looking at the feasibility of a Holiday Express Train for the southern section of the commuter line.
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