(The following story by Charles Iyoho appeared on the News Messenger website on December 2.)
JEFFERSON, Texas — They wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Braving the cold winter weather, area residents Monday afternoon stood, snapping photos of the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express train as it gradually eased its way down the track, making its stop near Roy’s Toys & Trains shop in Jefferson.
Inside the train, which at that point sat idle and parallel to North Walnut Street, Santa Claus and his helpers were awaiting.
“I think it’s fantastic,” said Roy Richie, owner of Roy’s Toys & Trains. “To have the Kansas City Southern train here, to watch the kids enjoy it, that’s what it’s about for the kids at Christmas. It’s beautiful. It’s great.”
Richie said it was the first year that the Holiday Express had made a stop at Jefferson. Previous stops included Shreveport, La., Sulphur Springs, Hughes Springs and Dallas, he said.
He said Santa Claus is scheduled to make a stop at his shop this Saturday afternoon.
“It’s just a goodwill train and they picked Jefferson this year,” he said. “It’s an all-volunteer crew that puts together the train and maintains it.”
Dave Scheider said he drove about an hour from Pittsburg to see the event.
“I think it’s great that the Kansas City Southern has a train like this to help celebrate Christmas,” he said. “Of course they’re doing a lot of generosity toward the public. I hear they’re giving away a lot of stuff and doing a lot of good things so it’s pretty neat that we have a major transportation company that takes money out of today’s economy and goes out there and provides them for the public for free.”
At around 4 p.m., residents, both young and old, streamed inside to meet and take pictures with Santa and his elves.
The train was replete with toys and goodies, including a large train set.
“I think it’s good for the kids,” said Jefferson native Stacy Cochran, who was among those awaiting Santa Claus’ arrival outside. “It gets them excited and already for Christmas and everything.”
Missy Baldwin said it was her first time seeing such an event in Jefferson, but that she had been to a similar event in Marshall several years ago when Santa Claus rolled through town in an amtrack.
“It’s something that all the kids should be able to see. We’re really excited to have it come through Jefferson,” she said.
“It’s always fun.”