Santa Trains Return to W&LE

Santa Claus trains returned to the Wheeling & Lake Erie this year after a year’s absence.

The trains were a long-time fixture on the W&LE until 2014. In previous years the trains used equipment supplied by the Orrville Railroad Heritage Society, but a falling out between the W&LE and ORHS prompted that service to end.

This year’s trains operated on Nov. 27 between Brewster and Zoarville and featured five coaches from the Age of Steam Roundhouse. W&LE Nos. 3046 and 111 bracketed the train, which made three roundtrips and carried railroad employees and their families.

In past years, ORHS cars were used on Santa trains for Wheeling employees, but tickets were sold to the public to ride some trains. The latter usually operated between Orrville and Lodi.

Tags: Santa Claus trains, W&LE Santa trains, Wheeling & Lake Erie