Is it real?

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Nine-month-old Greyson Jones pulls on Santa’s beard while at the Santa Express stop in Pelzer Saturday. Santa was greeted with large crowds at each of the five stops through the area.  (Photo by David Rogers)

Santa Express train draws larger crowds

The Santa Express made five stops in the area Saturday and Santa was greeted with larger crowds than any of the previous five years.

The annual holiday event is sponsored by The Greenville & Western Railway Company, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Carolina Railway Service Corporation.

Five stops were made along the rail line between Honea Path and Pelzer and at each stop children had the opportunity to step on board Santa’s caboose and tell him exactly what they want for Christmas. They also received a treat and Santa drew twelve lucky names to receive special gifts from his gift bag.

Stops began in at 9 a.m. in Honea Path at Hamby Road, then on to Belton at O’Neal Street, Cheddar at Cheddar Road, Williamston at Williams Street, and ended in Pelzer at Lyman Street at 6 p.m.

In 2008, the GRLW partnered with the Greenville Chapter of the National Railway Society, Inc, a non-profit corporation 501C3, to establish an account for the purpose of providing a way for the public to help support the Santa Express.

Tax deductible contributions may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank. Anyone interested in helping support the event can send check to Greenville Chapter NRHS Santa Train Account, PO Box 5481, Greenville, SC 29606-5481.