KINGSPORT, Tenn. — One Saturday each November, Santa Claus takes a break from his yuletide operation to make a trip through Appalachia aboard the Santa Special, a unique train co-sponsored by CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT) and the Kingsport (Tenn.) Chamber of Commerce that has delivered gifts and good will to remote areas of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee since 1943.
Santa’s special “elf” on this year’s train will be country music star Patty Loveless, who will help Santa and his army of elves distribute more than 15 tons of gifts. At the end of the journey in Kingsport, Loveless will present her own special gift of music by performing a short concert.
The Santa Special began a new tradition last year by distributing gifts only at 13 designated stops along the 110-mile route. This year, two new stops have been added to the lineup — Clinchco and Toms Bottom. Residents living in or near these 15 communities are encouraged to gather at the stop locations to welcome Santa to town. The train begins in Shelby, Ky., with stops in Marrowbone and Elkhorn, Ky., and the Virginia communities of Toms Bottom, Haysi, Clinchco, Fremont, Dante, St. Paul, Dungannon, Ft. Blackmore, Speers Ferry, Kermit and Waycross, before arriving in Kingsport, Tenn.
The Santa Special is co-sponsored by the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce and CSXT. The special train gives Kingsport merchants a chance to thank area residents for their business throughout the year. CSXT believes the tradition is a way for the railroad to make a positive contribution to the communities through which its freight trains pass every day.
For 60 years, this tradition of giving has brought happiness to the young and the young at heart. And in more recent years, the generosity of people and organizations has allowed the Kingsport Chamber to establish a scholarship fund. Each year, one or two graduating high school seniors living along the train’s route are selected to receive a four-year, $5,000 scholarship. So far, about $79,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 17 students.
The Santa Special’s route is part of the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio line, formerly known as the Clinchfield Railroad, a CSXT predecessor railroad. Today, the train operates on CSXT’s Central Region, and its employees are proud to continue this tradition. CSXT has about 7,600 employees in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.
The Kingsport Tennessee Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization focusing resources and efforts to enhance the Kingsport area business environment. The Kingsport Chamber has been accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for nearly 25 years. People interested in supporting the Santa Special through funds, gifts, toys or new clothes may send their donations to the Kingsport Tennessee Area Chamber of Commerce, attention: Santa Special, 151 East Main Street, Kingsport, Tenn., 37660.
CSXT and its 35,000 employees provide rail transportation and distribution services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSXT is a business unit of CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX), headquarted in Richmond, Va.