Rideding the Rails With Santa And Mrs. Claus On The Tinseliner

Youngsters and their parents — nearly 90 passengers in all — rode the Tinseliner, the all-volunteer Berkshire Scenic Railway's Christmas train.

The Berkshire Eagle reports Sunday's three round trips from the downtowns of Adams to North Adams was aboard a single Budd Company car — a passenger rail car with its own 1955 diesel engine. The Budd car interior was decorated with tinsel garland, silver tinsel tree, colored lights and filled with Christmas music.

The railway has steadily grown in ridership since moving to the North Berkshire tracks three years ago from its home base in Lenox.

Each year, the Tinseliner has enhanced the enjoyment level, this year introducing Mrs. Claus.

Each year, the Tinseliner has enhanced the enjoyment level, this year introducing Mrs. Claus. In 2016, the railway added a 20-minute stop in North Adams allowing passengers to disembark and enjoy hot chocolate, roast marshmallows to make s'mores and buy a real Christmas tree they can pick up later, all to help fight cancer.

The tree sales benefit PopCares Inc., a nonprofit charity that supports cancer survivors and their families with financial assistance beyond medical costs. It also helps them maintain their homes, yards and vehicles and small acts of kindness through cards and flowers, according to the charity's brochure.