All aboard!
The Santa Train returns Saturday, November 22 for its 110 mile journey throughout Kentucky, Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Each year the Santa Train delivers more than 15 tons of toys, gifts and winter accessories to thousands of families. This year marks the 83rd year of spreading Christmas Cheer throughout Appalachia.
The Santa Train is rooted in tradition and carries lifelong memories for families along the route.
It began in 1943 when a small group of Kingsport businessmen decided to create something special to thank their neighbors for their patronage. After coming up with the idea for the Santa Special, the men worked with officials of CSX Transportation (formerly Clinchfield Railroad) to create what we now know as The Santa Train.
The Santa Special was made possible through the hard work and commitment of many people, including Joe Higgins, who was the very first Santa Claus on the train, John Dudney, who not only played Santa for many years, but also helped distribute Santa Special posters in the communities along the tracks prior to the run, E. B. “Jitney” Blankenbecler, who mixed hard candy in a box car during the train trip, often until his fingers were raw, to throw out and countless other individuals and organizations.
The presence of Santa has been a staple on the train since day one. The late John Dudney once said his biggest reward as Santa Claus for 38 years was looking into the faces of children along the railroad and seeing the wonder in their eyes as he proclaimed over the sound system, “Merry Christmas girls and boys, ole Santa sees you.”
A bus filled with excited volunteers, guests and media leaves from the Kingsport tracks on Friday night, heading for Pikeville, Kentucky, to be in position for the southbound run the following day. Leaving Pikeville early Saturday morning, the Santa Train makes 14 scheduled stops and travels through 29 towns distributing gifts and goodwill along the 110-mile route. The train arrives back home in Kingsport to the annual Santa’s Depot celebration.
“Being an intricate part of the CSX Santa Train has not only had a significant impact on me personally, but the way it touches individuals along the route is truly remarkable and incredible to witness,” says Desteny Clemons, the Kingsport Chamber Santa Train Coordinator. “This tradition is a perfect example of what the Kingsport Spirit means to me.”
The Santa Train is a time-honored tradition and holds a special place in the hearts of many in the region. Former Kingsport Mayor, E.B. “Jitney” Blankenbecler only missed the first year of the train because he was serving in World War II. After his return home, he rode on the train from 1944 until 1995. Charlotte Nickels, a retired teacher from Dungannon, Virginia has not missed seeing the train since it began in 1943.
Over the years, countless lives have been touched by the Santa Train. Whether a member of the media writing a story about the train, a volunteer on the assembly line packaging the gifts and candy or an excited child waiting along the tracks, this one simple act that began in 1943 has left a legacy for more than eight decades.
Throughout its 83-year tenure, The Santa Train has received global media attention from ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN and more. Over the years, a number of celebrities have also ridden on the Santa Train route. They include Travis Tritt, Naomi Judd, Amy Grant, Patty Loveless and Wynonna Judd, among others.
This year’s route includes stops in Shelby, Marrowbone and Elkhorn City in Kentucky, Toms Bottom, Haysi, Clinchco, Fremont, Dante, St. Paul, Dungannon, Ft. Blackmore, Kermit and Waycross in Virginia and rounds out its journey in Kingsport.
Upon its arrival in Kingsport, Santa will disembark the train and head to the Santa’s Depot stage to wish the Kingsport crowd a Merry Christmas!
Santa’s Depot, now in its seventh year, is a community celebration that unofficially kicks off the Christmas season in Kingsport. Holiday-themed booths are set up throughout Centennial Park in Downtown Kingsport and feature free activities for children of all ages. The two-hour event runs from 1-3 p.m. and ends with the arrival of the Santa Train. Santa’s Depot has grown each of its seven years and is a way for Kingsport to give back to the community.
“There’s no better way to welcome the Santa Train back into Kingsport than with a party,” said Emily Thompson, Director of Fun Fest and Special Events for Visit Kingsport. “Santa’s Depot is a special way to celebrate community and spread some Christmas cheer.”
At Santa’s Depot, children will receive an official activity passport when they arrive at the event to keep track of each booth they visit. All activities are free to children. Sponsored booths and activities include free hot chocolate, cookies, letters to Santa, Santa hats, Christmas llamas, ornaments, wrapping paper, candy canes and more!
Santa said it best: “It is the spirit of giving, loving and caring that comes from giving to others, especially to the children. After all, each of us wants to believe.”
