We are blessed to live In Naples, and as such, Christmas becomes a great holiday for families and children alike. Families from Port Royal, Aqualane Shores, Olde Naples, Grey Oaks can take their kids to the Naples Depot and see Santa! People claim Naples luxury real estate is for the retired- not true. You can buy in Port Royal, buy a Naples luxury home and still enjoy the holidays with the entire family.
They had to wait an extra day, but Naples children got to see Santa Claus arrive by train Sunday. He was scheduled to appear Saturday, but a soaking rain in Naples, and perhaps blizzards at the North Pole, postponed the event by a day.
Trains still run in Naples, even though the Seaboard Coast Line shut down and tore up the tracks decades ago. These trains are at the Naples Depot, at 10th Avenue and U.S. 41 East, and they are considerably smaller than the giants of the railway that still sit next to Naples’ former train station, as though waiting for a locomotive to pull them.
Turning into the Depot off 10th Street South, progress was brought to a halt by the familiar clang of a train crossing bell, as striped gates lowered in front of the entry. Passing before the waiting cars, a kiddie train, pulled by a scaled-down Diesel, circled around the building with a full load of small children, plus their parents and grandparents.
The word got out that Santa had been spotted, and children and adults peered down the tracks. Finally, with a whistle and a cloud of steam, he appeared, in the Polar Express, a special rail car fitted out with the traditional red sleigh.
Alighting from the train, Santa let the children take turns sitting on his lap, listened to wish lists, and handed out candy canes. Savanna Downey of Naples, 9, was first in line, and gave Mr. Claus a hug, beard and all. She enjoyed her candy cane, but her favorite part of the experience is riding the train, she said.
Best Regards,
Brad Johnson
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