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Utica, N.Y. -- The Polar Express train ride to see Santa Claus went off the rails on the way to the North Pole tonight.

More than 300 passengers were on the train, but only one person was hurt, with a "minor, minor injury," said a dispatcher for the Utica Fire Department.

After the mishap, Santa journeyed to see the children who planned to visit him, said Molly Hartnett, of Manlius, who was on the train during the accident with her daughter and grandson.

The fire department sent buses to return riders to the Utica train station, the dispatcher said.

The train, operated by the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, left from the Union Station in Utica at about 6:30 p.m. for the two-hour round trip to the “North Pole” station of Holland Patent. A few minutes later, the train went off the track, Hartnett said.

Four cars derailed, said Sgt. Steve Hauck of the Utica Police Department.

“There were several large noises and bumps, but the train stayed upright and everything was fine,” Hartnett said from her cellphone while waiting on the train.

The cause of the derailment is being investigated.

Officials from the railroad were unavailable for comment.

The train had traveled about a quarter mile from the Utica station when it derailed, Hartnett said — too far to walk back in the dark. Santa visited the train while the occupants waited for the buses and met with the children.

Among those who talked to Santa were Hartnett’s grandson, Liam Hartnett-Weare, 6, also of Manlius.

“It was cool,” he said.