Santa entertains on his special train rides in December on the South Simcoe Railway. (Handout photos courtesy of Charles Bryant)

All aboard the Santa Express! The jolly gent will be back riding the rails to the delight of children and adults in December on the South Simcoe Railway.

It will mark the 14th consecutive year Santa has climbed aboard the historic rail cars pulled by Old 1057, a relic steam engine that chugs out of the Tottenham station northwest of Toronto.

But you better not shout, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why -- you'll be left out in the cold if you don't buy tickets in advance. Each year, the trains have been a sellout, so organizers suggest making reservations now.

Santa's special trains begin next Saturday and run weekends through Dec. 17 with four departures daily -- two in the morning and two in the afternoon, says the railway's Charles Bryant.

The vintage steam locomotive, built in 1883 for the Canadian Pacific Railway, will huff and puff its way on the one-hour run to support the Tottenham food bank. So far, about $45,000 has been raised over the years.

After pulling out of the station, the jovial conductor talks about the history of the rail line, its equipment and the passing countryside.

It's believed there are only 12 of these locomotives remaining today. Years ago, there were about 500 in service across the country.

The refurbished engine follows the rails for a scenic -- and often snowy -- trip, pulling the heated coaches built in the 1920s. The route cuts through the scenic Beeton Creek Valley while on board, Santa and his elves visit with families and entertain the passengers.

One of the three coaches is the last one from the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway.

The service is operated by the South Simcoe Railway Heritage Corp., a non-profit historical organization and Ontario's first steam heritage railway.

Its train offers rails aficionados a chance to travel the rolling countryside and farmland between Tottenham and Beeton, a distance of about seven kilometres. The rails are from the century-old branch line that once linked Hamilton to Barrie and Collingwood.

The usual operating season is between Victoria Day weekend in May and Thanksgiving weekend in October. It's also available for group outings and for birthdays or special occasions, which are held in the baggage car.

Its high season, aside from the Santa trains, is during July and August, when it operates three days a week. The runs are mainly on Sundays in June and September and on selected days in May and October.

The station also boasts the Freight Shed Gift Shop, featuring railway gifts, souvenirs, Thomas the Tank Engine and locomotive toys. There are also wooden whistles, striped engineer hats, videos, rail history books and magazines, postcards and T-shirts.

The shop also has soft drinks and light snacks. As well, there are friendly local shops and restaurants a block away.

IF YOU GO

- Santa Trains depart on Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (At press time, the two morning departures on Dec. 2 were sold out but tickets were available for all other times and dates.) Fares are $13 for adults, $7 for children (free for babies to age two and not occupying a seat).

- For tickets, call (905) 936-5815 weekdays between noon and 4 p.m. or reserve online at www.steamtrain.com; e-mail info@steamtrain.com

- Passengers are advised to dress warmly and to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time to allow sufficient time for parking, ticketing and boarding the train. There are no washrooms on the train, but modern ones are in the station. No food or drinks are allowed on board.

- The train leaves from the South Simcoe Railway station on Mill Street in downtown Tottenham, off Highway 9 east of Orangeville.