So much for volunteerism! Train canceled due to scheduling: Wyoming Halts Holiday 'Santa Train' SHERIDAN, Wyo. (AP) - It appears Santa Claus isn't coming to northern Wyoming this year. Not via the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, anyway. The railway's ``Santa Train,'' carrying Claus himself, has rolled through the region the past seven years, but this year's stagnant economy combined with staffing problems will put a stop to the holiday tradition, railway spokesman Gus Melonas said. ``It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is this year,'' he said. The train, which originates in Edgemont, S.D., normally stops in Newcastle, Upton, Moorcroft, Rozet and Gillette before arriving in Sheridan County, where classrooms of children often turned out to greet it, especially in rural areas.
It seems that the holiday spirit is not present in the BNSF employees. They normally volunteer for this as unpaid duty. Greed has taken over.
I have a feeling it isn't the employees, BNSF doesn't want to pay for the diesel, and the extra miles put on a locomotive that isn't generating a revenue. To me, a childs face lighting up when a train goes by with Santa, is a revenue worth Zillions!
I have a hard time believing its the money for the engine. We're talking one engine here and it doesn't even have to be that high horsepower.
I fear that what once was a valued tool, public relations, has taken a back seat to pinching a penny so tightly that it squeals. This disconnection between the RR, and the communities that they pass through, has not been good for those RR's. Speaking from personal experience, I could say so much more......... Boxcab E50
BNSF has also decided to cut back on it's support of Galesburg Railroad Days at Galesburg, IL. next June. Seems as though they decided that there was too much libility at stake, even though they haven't had an accident during the 20+ years they have been involved. Bean counters SUCK! Happy Holidays anyway...
