(Kansas City Southern issued the following on November 7.)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In its eighth annual run, Kansas City Southern’s (KCS) Holiday Express train will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit 23 stops in 21 communities in eight states throughout The Kansas City Southern Railway Company’s (KCSR) service territory, including Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. In addition to being a free, public event, the Holiday Express has a charitable component.
At each stop, KCS will make a contribution of Walmart gift cards to the local Salvation Army to provide warm clothing for children in need. Thanks to contributions from KCS’ employees, vendors and friends, KCS raised $126,200 to purchase gift cards – a nearly three percent increase over the 2007 campaign, despite current concerns with the economy.
“On behalf of Kansas City Southern and the communities we serve, we are most grateful to our employees, vendors and friends, who have made such generous contributions during these uncertain times,” said KCS chairman and chief executive officer Michael R. Haverty. “We hope the Holiday Express project will help to make a difference in the lives of children in need this holiday season.”
Special thanks to major sponsors including Michael and Marlys Haverty; ALSTOM; DST Systems, Inc.; Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Gulf Coast Rail Group, Inc.; Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences; Mid-America Car, Inc.; Partners N Promotion; TranSystems Corporation; Walmart; and Watco Companies.
Led by KCS’ Southern Belle business train, the six-car Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flat car carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a ginger bread box car; the elves’ workshop; the reindeers’ stable; and a little red caboose. The Holiday Express was created in 2001 after volunteers dedicated over 8,000 hours to the rigorous transformation of the retired freight train. Festive music and lights complete the package.
The Holiday Express train was built on the tradition of the former Gateway Western (GWWR) Santa Train, which made stops in small towns from East St. Louis, Ill. to Blue Springs, Mo. (GWWR was purchased by KCS in 1997.) In 2000, KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas some kids had, and that some did not even have essential items like coats, hats and gloves. The employees were so touched that they committed to elevating the project to the experience that communities throughout KCSR’s service area enjoy today.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCS is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is KCSR, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lazaro Cardenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS’ North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
More information, including train schedule and pictures can be found under Holiday Express in the General Public section of www.kcsouthern.com.