The 36th annual Santa Train ride took off from Hoboken Terminal Friday morning.

The group Railmen for Children started the event in 1983 as a way to give back and help children with special needs.

Character like Santa Claus and his elves and Frosty the Snowman were there to greet the children, along with a personalized present. The children get to meet Santa and socialize with their friends.

Joe Phalon, one of the event’s original founders, shared a tearful story of how Christmas Magic helped a little boy who could neither speak nor stand, until he met Santa.

“When he met Santa Claus he wished Santa Claus a merry Christmas and stood up,” Phalon said.

The train made stops along the Bergen Line, picking up and dropping off more than 350 kids all thanks to the volunteers and donations gathered by the Railmen for Children.