65th Annual Santa Train

For 65 years, CSX Transportation, the Kingsport, Tennessee Area Chamber of Commerce and Food City have operated the Santa Train, a holiday tradition that enables CSXT to give back to the local communities in the Appalachian region where its trains operate.

2007 CSX Santa Train Staff

Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Santa Train has operated along a CSX predecessor line, the Clinchfield Railroad, since 1943.

The Santa Train is one of the region's most anticipated holiday traditions. CSX employees, Food City, the Kingsport Chamber and other companies and individuals across the nation donate 15 tons of toys and gifts each year to the train. Gifts are distributed to thousands of people at 14 stops over 110 miles, from Shelby, Kentucky to Kingsport, Tennessee.

CSX began sharing railroad safety messages through its Keep on Living program during the Santa Train event in 2007. Railroad safety gift bags containing a coloring book with rail safety messages, among other items, were distributed to children.

Due to the extreme importance of safety, the Santa Train is a working event for pre-selected CSX, Chamber and Food City employees only. The train does not offer rides, seats or tickets as fundraising items or to the public in general.