Every November since the 1940s, Santa Claus trades his sleigh and reindeer for a CSX train ride through Appalachia with a member of BLET Division 781 (Erwin, Tennessee) at the controls. This year it was James Rasnick’s turn. The 26-year member of Division 781 operated the 83rd annual Santa Train over the mountainous 110-mile route through eastern Kentucky, western Virginia and northeast Tennessee. The train made 13 stops to deliver toys, books, warm clothing, and Christmas cheer to the rural communities along the route.
“I was proud to continue the tradition,” said Rasnick, 60. “You know how traditions are. If you don’t continue them, they pass away.”
Rasnick, who is planning to retire this year, is a third-generation railroader, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who was a boilermaker and his father who was an electrician. He said his father was among the first electricians to work on diesel locomotives when the former Clinchfield Railroad moved away from steam locomotives.
Rasnick has a master’s degree in education from East Tennessee State University, and he was a high school teacher prior to the start of his railroad career. He and his wife Cynthia Carol have been married since 1990 and they have two adult daughters, Rebecca and Abigail.
Click here to see a photo gallery from the 83rd annual Santa Train, which ran on November 22, 2025.
For 83 years the CSX Santa Train has been delivering toys annually to those less fortunate during the holiday season. Many BLET members have operated the train over the years.