Vancouver Washington USA - It's time for another visit by the SP&S locomotive, which, in December, means "Santa, Presents, & Steam".
 
The venerable SP&S 700 locomotive will chug into Vancouver with the red-suited guest of honour Saturday morning for BNSF's 10th annual Santa Steam Train event.
 
The family-friendly Christmas celebration will be from 11:00 to 13:00 at the BNSF Railway facility, adjacent to Vancouver's Amtrak station.
 
More than 2,000 people have turned out for Santa's last few steam-powered visits, Gus Melonas, BNSF spokesman, said.
 
There will be presents for children when they meet Santa Claus in a pavilion set up in case of inclement weather.
 
The two-hour event will include hot chocolate,cider, cake, and cookies.
 
It's free, but people are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots campaign.
 
Built in 1938, the Baldwin oil-fired steam locomotive ran a passenger route for SP&S (Spokane Portland & Seattle) Railway from Portland to Spokane via Vancouver and the Columbia River Gorge.
 
The festivities will be taking place in a working railroad yard, Melonas noted.
 
Patrons should dress appropriately, including shoes, and watch for trains.
 
All tracks in the area will be open to rail traffic Saturday.
 
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