Families gathered along the route to receive gifts, winter essentials and holiday joy
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The CSX Santa Train has successfully completed its 82nd annual run, spreading holiday cheer across Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, and Tennessee on Saturday, November 23. Thousands of families lined the 110-mile route from Shelbiana, Kentucky to Kingsport, Tennessee, as the beloved train brought an abundance of toys, backpacks, winter weather accessories and holiday joy to Appalachian communities.
“This year’s Santa Train was a powerful reminder of the deep connection between CSX and the Appalachian communities we serve,” said Joe Hinrichs, president and chief executive officer of CSX. “Our team is honored to be part of a tradition that brings joy and supports families in a meaningful way during the holiday season. We look forward to many more years of delivering the magic of the CSX Santa Train.” [See header photo – courtesy of CSX]
The CSX Santa Train, one of the nation’s oldest and most cherished holiday traditions, distributed more than 15 tons of gifts to families along the route, making this year’s event another resounding success. Families from across the region gathered to share in the holiday spirit and continue a tradition that has united communities since 1943.
This year’s CSX Santa Train featured the heritage 1902 Clinchfield Locomotive which made its inaugural run on this year’s route. The Clinchfield honors the Clinchfield Railroad that was originally chartered to serve coal mines in eastern Kentucky, Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Tennessee.
“Every year, we are inspired by the smiles and heartfelt stories shared along the route that remind us why this tradition is so special,” said Bryan Tucker, vice president of stakeholder engagement and sustainability at CSX. “We’re grateful to everyone who makes this journey possible and to the communities who welcome us each year.”
The 2024 CSX Santa Train was made possible through longstanding partnerships with Appalachian Power, Food City, the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and Soles4Souls. This collaborative effort ensures that the CSX Santa Train’s impact reaches as many families as possible, offering not only gifts but also a reminder of the strength and resilience of Appalachian communities.
For photos and videos from this year’s event, please visit this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1l_K824zS6WbvYSGYEtxfhYaapRqrLz5b?usp=sharing
For more updates, route inquiries and additional information regarding this year’s event, follow the CSX Santa Train on Facebook and Instagram.
About the CSX Santa Train
The CSX Santa Train, which will make its 82nd trek in 2024, is one of the nation’s oldest holiday traditions, delivering over 15 tons of toys, backpacks and winter clothing to Appalachian families along 110 miles of railroad tracks through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. The CSX Santa Train is presented in partnership with Appalachian Power, Food City, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and Soles4Souls. We welcome you to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates. For more information, visit https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/community-investment/csx-in-service/.
About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at http://www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).
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