CSX Transportation’s Santa Train departs Dante, Va., with its 13-car train as it rolls along empty coal hoppers and Lick Creek on Nov. 18, 2023. The photo is from Dante Mountain Road. Steve Smedley
The CSX Santa Train, enjoying new life after a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, again delighted children and adults along its 110-mile former Clinchfield Railroad route between Shelby, Ky., and Kingsport, Tenn. This year’s train featured a new “Santa Car” rebuilt from a former Pan Am Railways office car, as well as the active participation of CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs, who has embraced the Santa Train tradition since joining the railroad. Here’s a look at the train from photographer Steve Smedley, plus some bonus images from Ron Flanary, who filed a report on the Nov. 18 trip for Trains News Wire [see “CSX Santa Train returns …,”Trains News Wire, Nov. 19, 2023].
The CSX Santa Train rolls slowly across the Copper Creek Bridge as it nears its destination of Kingsport, Tenn., on Nov. 18, 2023. Steve Smedley
The Santa Train rolls through an S curve at Granny Branch, Va., Nov. 18, 2023. Steve Smedley
The Santa Train, in its 81st year, arrives in Dante, Va., on Saturday, Nov. 18. A locomotive failure on F40PH No.2 led CSXT to borrow ET44AH locomotives No. 3323 and No. 3411 from a northbound train the previous evening. Steve Smedley
A young girl looks on as Santa greets the crowd during a stop at Fremont, Va. Ron Flanary
CSX’s Santa Train comes around a curve north of Dungannon, Va. Steve Smedley
The new Santa Car, rebuilt from a former Pan Am Railways business car, is at the end of the Santa Train south of Granny Branch, Va., on Nov. 18, 2023. Steve Smedley
A portion of the crowd greeting the Santa Train at Elkhorn City, Ky. Ron Flanary
Santa Claus and his helpers wave from the rear of the Santa Train as it approaches a stop at Dungannon, Va., on Nov. 18, 2023. This was the 81st year for the Santa Train. Steve SmedleyShare this article
