In its seventh annual run, Kansas City Southern’s (KCS) Holiday Express train will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit 28 stops in 26 communities in eight states throughout The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR), including Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. 

At each stop, KCS will make a contribution of Wal-Mart gift cards to the local Salvation Army to provide warm clothing for children in need.  Thanks to the generous contributions of KCS’ employees, vendors and friends, KCS raised $122,700 to purchase gift cards, once again raising the bar with a more than eight percent increase over what was raised in 2006.  Major sponsors include American Railcar Industries, CorpLogoWare, DST Systems, Inc., Michael and Marlys Haverty, Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences, Kinder Morgan and Watco Companies.

In addition to making a charitable contribution in each community, visits to the Holiday Express train are free and open to the public.  Led by KCS’ Southern Belle, the six-car 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 reindeer’s stable; and a little red caboose.  The Holiday Express was created in 2001 after volunteers dedicated 8,000 plus hours to the rigorous transformation of the retired freight train. 

Each year, the décor inside the train focuses on a new theme, keeping the exhibit fresh for repeat visitors.  This year’s theme is Santa Claus.  After a personal visit with the jolly old elf, visitors will find images of Santa Claus throughout the train.  New features this year include an ice castle exhibit in the red caboose, the “northern lights” in what used to be Santa’s workshop and subtle additions to the model train displays.  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.