CAYUGA - In a rare pre-Thanksgiving appearance, Santa Claus and the missus took a ride on the Finger Lakes Railway Saturday, along with more than 100 fans.

Santa participated in his first of two dozen train rides with the railway this season, leaving from Harris Park along the waterfront in Cayuga on an hour-long scenic ride through Seneca Falls and back. En route, he visited with dozens of children, both shy and outgoing.

“The community spirit that comes out of these train rides is absolutely amazing,” said Deb Najarro, community relations manager for the railway.

Najarro and other volunteers distributed carol books and led passengers in song, as they waited for a turn to sit on Santa's lap.

While some were leery about talking to a stranger, especially one with such a massive beard and unusual ensemble, Stacey Schram's 3-year-old daughter, Peyton, hopped up on Santa's knee for a photo. But almost immediately she forgot what it was she wanted for Christmas.

A toy train, Santa asked. No, not a train.

Perhaps a new doll, he suggested. That was not it, either.

A coloring book? Yes, a coloring book, Peyton told Santa, even though that was not really what she wanted.

“Baby food for my doll,” she exclaimed, immediately after her feet were on the ground again.

The train ride was a leisurely one, traveling no more than 15 mph, which allowed Santa ample time to fit everyone into his schedule.

Two trips left from Cayuga Saturday, the first of more than 20 that will depart from various locations between now and Christmas.

Inka Yusgiantoro and his wife Amelia had come from Ithaca with their two sons, Kevan, and Dilan, for the ride.

“It was something different,” Yusgiantoro said. Although Santa was an excellent bonus, their primary reason for coming was Dilan's penchant for locomotives. “He really loves choo-choo trains,” said Yusgiantoro. Dilan, 3-and-a-half, wore a conductor's hat and looked out the window as the train passed over Cayuga Lake on its way back to Harris Park.

In between visitors, Santa chatted with a helper, dressed as his protege in red and white with black boots, about the techniques of candy cane consumption. Jeffrey Day, 8, who was aboard to help hand out coloring books and crayons to children while they waited their turn to see Santa, had managed to make a candy cane last for half the ride by nibbling at it a little at a time.

“I would have chomped it all the way down,” said Santa.

Santa waited patiently while parents took multiple snapshots, determined to get a picture in which everyone was looking at the camera and smiling. He did not rush visitors who were hesitant to divulge their Christmas wishes. And he did not deny any visitors, no matter their size.

Ralph Stevens sat down on Santa's lap after his two grandchildren had already had their chance. He told Santa he wanted a leaf blower for Christmas. And Santa, being Santa, knew exactly what he was talking about.

“Oh, ho, ho ho,” Santa laughed. “A Black & Decker, of course!”

After everyone had made their requests and received their complimentary candy canes, Mrs. Claus and Santa made their departure, high-fiving the little hands that jutted out into the aisle as they passed.

Staff writer Sarah Gantz can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or sarah.gantz@lee.net