(CSX issued the following news release on November 13.)
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Santa Claus is making his list and checking it twice as he prepares to once again leave his home at the North Pole and make his annual railroad journey through Appalachia. For the 61st year, Santa will help launch the holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 22, by riding the Santa Special, a one-of-a-kind train that brings gifts and joy to remote areas of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.
Santa and his elves are expected to distribute more than 15 tons of gifts to thousands of children at 15 designated stops along the 110-mile route. Residents living in or near these 15 communities are encouraged to gather at the stop locations to welcome Santa. 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 CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) and the Kingsport (Tenn.) Area Chamber of Commerce. 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 more than 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 $84,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 18 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 6,300 employees in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.
The Kingsport 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 25 years. People interested in supporting the Santa Special through funds, gifts, toys or new clothes may send their donations to the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, attention: Santa Special, 151 East Main Street, Kingsport, Tenn., 37660.
CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX), based in Jacksonville, Fla., owns the largest rail network in the eastern United States. CSX and its 34,000 employees provide rail transportation services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX Corporation also provides intermodal and global container terminal operations through other subsidiaries.