A car hit a popular holiday train in Upstate New York, police say.
WGRZ reports a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu struck the Santa’s Wonderland Express Train in the Town of Java on Thursday evening. The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred at 5:37 p.m. as the train, owned by Attica and Arcade Railroad, was crossing the roadway on Chaffee Road.
There were 174 passengers on board the train, the Sheriff’s Office said. No injuries were reported.
The driver of the car, identified as a 22-year-old man, was evaluated by emergency medical personnel at the scene. He was later released.
Pat Connors, an engineer for the railroad, told WGRZ the crash occurred due to winter weather and slippery, snow-covered roads. Deputies ticketed the driver for speed not reasonable or prudent.
Connors told the Buffalo station that the incident didn’t affect the rest of the trip, which continued on to the “North Pole” as scheduled.
Santa’s Wonderland Express, based in Arcade, N.Y., is one of several Christmas-themed trains in Upstate New York and the only vintage steam train in New York offering passenger service. The two-hour experience begins at the old-fashioned Arcade train station and stops at historic Currier’s Station, which is transformed into the North Pole with elves, face painting, reindeer, cookies, hot cocoa, souvenirs, gift shopping, and a special visit from Santa Claus himself.
Arcade and Java both located in Wyoming County, less than 40 miles outside of Buffalo.
