Eastern Railroad Discussion > Santa Train turns 80.

Saturday November 19th marked the return of the Santa Train along the former Clinchfield mainline.  After two years of using trucks due to Covid, CSX put on a show with it's B&O inspied F40's.  

Photo #1:  P001-19 crosses the Russel Fork at Pool Point.'

Photo #2:  P001-19 passes under the closed "Coalco loader" near Haysi, VA.

Photo #3:  Santa Train at NE Trammel.

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Great to see the Santa Train is back running the rails on the old Clinchfield main.

Asheville_G Wrote:
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> Saturday November 19th marked the return of the
> Santa Train along the former Clinchfield mainline.
>  After two years of using trucks due to Covid,
> CSX put on a show with it's B&O inspied F40's.  
>
> Photo #1:  P001-19 crosses the Russel Fork at
> Pool Point.'
>
> Photo #2:  P001-19 passes under the closed
> "Coalco loader" near Haysi, VA.
>
> Photo #3:  Santa Train at NE Trammel.

Photo #4:  Santa train passing the classic signals at NE Booty.  

Photo #5:  Santa train passing through Fort Blackmore.

Photo #6:  Santa train at Copper Creek.

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Photo #7:  Santa train crossing US 23 at Clinchport.

Photo #8:  Santa train crossing the Holston river at Kingsport.

Thanks for taking a look.

Grady McKinley
Asheville, NC

 

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Very nice photography and locations.

Very nice. Those F40's are quite sharp!

TJY

Nice look at some sharp diesels!
Go

Wonderful - Great scenes!
Bob

What a beautiful looking train looking so much like the old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Trains that I remember from the good-ole-days.  Thanks for sharing all your photos with us.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

Beautiful train and great pictures. Why are they displaying red class lights?

Tom
Weaverville, CA

Nicely done. Good coverage of the territory.

First Class Coverage !  Nice to see "F" units back on the Clinchfield.

Excellent shots, some real nice composition there!

Out 

Excellent images and IOTD candidates for sure!

TomG Wrote:
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> Beautiful train and great pictures. Why are they
> displaying red class lights?

Purely speculation but, it is the Santa Train and Santa wears a red suit. Red class lights = Santa.

Great photos at some of my favorite locations!!! I had the privilege of working the Santa Train three times over the years and it was always an absolute blast! Very happy that CSX brought back this longtime tradition!

CW

Posted from iPhone

Here is an excellent article from the Bristol Herald Courier on the return of the "Santa Train" on CSX, mostly the former Clinchfield.

Edited to add that you should be able to get one free look.

https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/large-crowds-flock-to-stops-as-santa-train-returns/article_0f4ee0fa-6856-11ed-a95a-a3495423ebac.html

Here is an interesting excerpt:


Many aboard the train noticed her sign, including Joe Hinrichs, the recently named president and CEO of CSX, who made his first trip aboard the Santa Train.

“There’s been a lot of tears shed, but in a positive way. I am so proud of the CSX community, the CSX team and all the other partners who are here with us. I am just so proud of how we can touch people’s lives in a meaningful way during the holiday season,” Hinrichs told members of the news media aboard the train. “It’s great to be back after a couple of years and you can tell — by the crowds we’ve had – that people really appreciate it.”

It’s no coincidence the train announcement in late September coincided with his arrival. Hinrichs said he first learned of the train from employees who spoke lovingly of the train and its impact during dinner the day before he was to be announced as the railroad’s new CEO.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/22 06:02 by Jimbo.

Great images, every single one of them!

Dave

Great group of photos.  Very sharp F40s in that classic B&O scheme!

Rich

Beautiful images and fine coverage of an estimable tradition, now back again. The train is so stylish, and the ex-Clinchfield route looks as spectacular as ever. Thanks for your efforts to get those shots, and for taking the time to present them to us. Top-drawer work for a top-shelf operation. Happy Holidays!

MC

Amazing photos!   Thank you for sharing them.