I saw this and thought it was a great story to pass on to other railroad fans. Would be nice if someone that lives along the route could get some pictures of the train. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In its eighth annual run, Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express train will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit 23 stops in 21 communities in eight states throughout The Kansas City Southern Railway Company’s (KCSR) service territory, including Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. In addition to being a free, public event, the Holiday Express has a charitable component. At each stop, KCS will make a contribution of Walmart gift cards to the local Salvation Army to provide warm clothing for children in need. Thanks to contributions from KCS’ employees, vendors and friends, KCS raised $126,200 to purchase gift cards - a nearly three percent increase over the 2007 campaign, despite current concerns with the economy. “On behalf of Kansas City Southern and the communities we serve, we are most grateful to our employees, vendors and friends, who have made such generous contributions during these uncertain times,” said KCS chairman and chief executive officer Michael R. Haverty. “We hope the Holiday Express project will help to make a difference in the lives of children in need this holiday season.” Special thanks to major sponsors including Michael and Marlys Haverty; ALSTOM; DST Systems, Inc.; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Gulf Coast Rail Group, Inc.; Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences; Mid-America Car, Inc.; Partners N Promotion; TranSystems Corporation; Walmart; and Watco Companies. Led by KCS’ Southern Belle business train, the six-car Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flat car carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a ginger bread box car; the elves’ workshop; the reindeers’ stable; and a little red caboose. The Holiday Express was created in 2001 after volunteers dedicated over 8,000 hours to the rigorous transformation of the retired freight train. Festive music and lights complete the package. The Holiday Express train was built on the tradition of the former Gateway Western (GWWR) Santa Train, which made stops in small towns from East St. Louis, Ill. to Blue Springs, Mo. (GWWR was purchased by KCS in 1997.) In 2000, KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas some kids had, and that some did not even have essential items like coats, hats and gloves. The employees were so touched that they committed to elevating the project to the experience that communities throughout KCSR's service area enjoy today.
schedule for KCS Holiday Express, from kcsouthern.com 2008 Holiday Express Schedule Date Time City Address 11/28 4PM Shreveport, LA (KCS Family Only) KCS Yard, Tower 11/29 4PM Shreveport, LA, Rockets Over the Red Festival Plaza 11/30 4PM Leesville, LA KCS Yard, 901 South Third Street 12/01 4PM Jefferson, TX Downtown Between East Austin Street & Lafayette 12/02 4PM Wylie, TXMarble Street 12/03 4PM Sulphur Springs, TX 400 Martin Luther King Road (In Front of Pacific Park) 12/04 4PM Vicksburg, MS Levee Street Station 1000 Levee Street at the foot of Grove Street 12/05 4PM Mena, AR 524 Sherwood Avenue 12/06 4PM Heavener, OK KCS Yard, 403 West First Street 12/07 4PM Noel, MO Old KCS Depot 12/08 4PM Pittsburg, KS Monroe & Elm Streets 12/10 4PM Blue Springs, MOMain Street 12/11 4PM Odessa, MO Mason Street 12/12 4PM Marshall, MO Lyon Street 12/13 4PM Mexico, MO 326 South Jefferson Street 12/14 4PM Pearl, IL Main Street 12/15 4PM Godfrey, IL Pearl Street 12/16 4PM Roodhouse, IL Old Depot 12/17 4PM Slater, MO Depot 12/18 4PM Higginsville, MO Depot 12/19 4PM Grain Valley, MO East of Main Street 12/20 9:30AM-5:30PM Kansas City, MO Union Station 12/21 Noon-5:30PM Kansas City, MO Union Station
