Santa visiting northeast Oklahoma a little early

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- Santa Claus will hitch a ride on a train this weekend to visit several northeast Oklahoma communities.

The Southern Kansas Oklahoma Lines Santa Claus Express Train is scheduled to roll into Bartlesville at 9 a.m. Saturday, just in time for youngsters to give St. Nicholas their wish lists before the annual downtown Christmas Parade kicks off at 11 a.m.

Santa's visit to the historic depot is sponsored by Heart of the Heartlands Railroad Preservation Club and WATCO Inc. of Kansas.

After visiting Bartlesville, Santa is scheduled to travel the rails south to Ochelata, Ramona, Collinsville and Owasso on Saturday.

His pre-Christmas Eve tour continues Sunday with trips to Dewey and Copan. Santa will cross the border into Kansas at 11 a.m.

arriving at Caney, then traveling on to Independence and Coffeyville.