(The following report by John Colvin appeared on the News Star website on December 14.)
MONROE, La. — Children and adults in the area have an opportunity for a new treat as the 2003 Holiday Express rolls into Monroe and Vicksburg, Miss., this week.
“We’re very excited that Kansas City (Southern) Railroad has elected to visit our area,” said Capt. Glenn Riggs, commanding officer of The Salvation Army in Monroe.
“We encourage our friends and neighbors to join us in welcoming the train. We plan on having hot beverages and treats on hand for all who come out,” Riggs said.
This is the third year that the railroad company will run its Holiday Express train that will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit 24 communities in eight states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Other stops in the state include Shreveport, Leesville and DeQuicny.
However, it is only the first visit to Monroe.
The train will arrive 5 p.m. Wednesday at 600 DeSiard St. in Monroe, and will then arrive at 5 p.m. the next day at the KCS Yard, 2105 Levee St., in Vicksburg.
At each stop, KCS will make a contribution to the local Salvation Army.
In Monroe, Riggs will accept up to 100 $25 Wal-Mart gift cards for those who have applied for Christmas assistance. Throughout the tour, more than 2,560 cards will be given out through the charitable contributions of KCS’ employees and friends,
The Holiday Express premiered in 2001, after volunteers dedicated 8,000 plus hours to the rigorous transformation of a retired freight train to its present day grandeur.
KCS’ Southern Belle, a restored business car train, leads the Holiday Express. Today’s Southern Belle copies the first-class accommodations of three decades when the three original Southern Belle trains provided travel service between Kansas City, Mo., and the New Orleans-Gulf Coast area. It is composed of beautifully restored vintage cars and locomotives with modern operating components.
A sixth rail car, painted on the outside to look like a snow-covered stall for Santa’s reindeer, while the inside allows space for intricate model train displays, has been added. It also includes a smiling tank car, a flat car carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village, a ginger bread box car, the elves’ workshop and a little red caboose. Festive music and lights complete the package.
Visitors can tour three rail cars, and all children attending will receive a free gift bag.
Last year, about 14,000 people boarded the train to visit with Santa Claus and 30,000 more attended Holiday Express events.
DST Systems, Inc., the Kansas City Southern Historical Society, Mid-America Car, Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores sponsor the tour.
The Holiday Express train was built on the tradition of the former Gateway Western Santa Train, which made stops in small towns from East St. Louis, Ill. to Blue Springs, Mo.