Dwight worked as the east side (mainline) crossing guard at AC for Victorian Christmas. I was on the west side, protecting the siding as the locomotive ran through. We were very busy when each train came in. The train crew including John R., J.B. and Mike got about half of the arriving passengers to detrain on the west side of the consist using step boxes. The crowd would collect along the siding then follow the road over to Santa and the bonfire. The important thing was to have the siding clear for the engine to work through. Dwight and I had to watch the engine's progress through the north switch then prevent people from crossing as the engine worked down the siding.
There were a number of people who saw the long line of kids waiting to see Santa, then noticed the horses and walked east on the road for the wagon ride. That helped keep the crowd a bit smaller around the bonfire. Of course most of the people saw Santa first and went for the bonfire side. Some had to walk around the train if they got out on the station side. Dwight directed those people. He also helped with the bonfire when I was in the station tending the stove. When we heard the next train blow for Trask's, Dwight and I got everyone collected along the road on the east side of the main to be ready to board when the cars were empty. It was a busy but enjoyable job. Seeing the little kids as they met Santa was the best part. Some had really cute Christmas outfits.
Stewart