In addition to free, public events, KCS’ Holiday Express has a charitable component. Over the past 17 years, the project has raised well over $2 million to purchase gift cards, which are donated to The Salvation Army at each scheduled stop. These gift cards are used to purchase warm clothing and other necessities for children in need in the local community.
“KCS is proud to continue this long-standing tradition of bringing joy to communities throughout our network with the Holiday Express train,” said KCS President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. “This project brings people together, helps build relationships in the community and supports our corporate vision and values.”
Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the 2018 KCS Holiday Express fundraising campaign may do so by visiting www.kcsouthern.com > Corporate Responsibility > Holiday Express or by clicking here. The campaign will close Oct. 31.
The KCS Holiday Express was built on the tradition of the Santa Train, which ran on a segment of the network bought by KCS in 1997. In 2000, a group of warm-hearted KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas some kids had, and that some kids did not have essential items like coats, hats and gloves, so they committed to elevating the project. In 2001, volunteers transformed a retired freight train to the experience that communities throughout KCS’ U.S. service territory enjoy today.
Led by KCS’ Southern Belle business train, the Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flat car carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread boxcar; an elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose. Each car is dressed in lights.
Here’s the schedule:
DATE TIME* CITY STATE ADDRESS
21-Nov 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Shreveport LA KCS Yard, 4500 North Lake Shore Drive, Gate 5
(Private Event for KCS Employees)
23-Nov 4 p.m. Westpoint MS Sam Wilhite Transportation Museum, 2014 Depot Drive
24-Nov 4 p.m. Meridian MS Union Station, 1901 Front Street
25-Nov 4 p.m. Newton MS KCS Yard, 127 North Main Street
26-Nov 4 p.m. Pearl (Jackson) MS KCS Yard, 201 Industrial Park Road
27-Nov 4 p.m. Vicksburg MS Levee Street Station, 1000 Levee Street at the Foot of Grove Street
28-Nov 4 p.m. Monroe LA Third & Desiard Street
29-Nov 4 p.m. Jefferson TX Downtown Between E Austin Street & Lafayette (Near 239 E Austin Street)
30-Nov 4 p.m. Wylie TX Oak Street
1-Dec 4 p.m. Sulphur Springs TX Between Cedar Street & Oak Avenue (Near 328 Oak Avenue)
2-Dec 4 p.m. Pittsburg TX Texas Street Crossing (Near 105 South Texas Street)
3-Dec 4 p.m. Shreveport LA KCS Yard, 4500 North Lake Shore Drive, Gate 5
4-Dec 4 p.m. Ashdown AR Main & U.S. Highway 71
5-Dec 4 p.m. De Queen AR 300 Block of East Stilwell Avenue
6-Dec 4 p.m. Sallisaw OK West Port Arthur Place
7-Dec 4 p.m. Pittsburg KS Elm and Monroe Streets
8-Dec 4 p.m. Drexel MO 123 West Main
9-Dec 4 p.m. Godfrey IL Pearl Street
10-Dec 4 p.m. Jerseyville IL Illinois Route 16 & Morean Street
11-Dec 4 p.m. Roodhouse IL Depot
12-Dec 4 p.m. Mexico MO 326 South Jefferson Street
13-Dec 4 p.m. Marshall MO Lyon Avenue
14-Dec 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Kansas City MO Union Station (Open to Public)
6 p.m.-8 p.m. Kansas City MO Union Station
(Private Event for KCS Employees and USKC Members)
15-Dec 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Kansas City MO Union Station
16-Dec 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Kansas City MO Union Station
17-Dec 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Kansas City MO Union Station
18-Dec 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Kansas City MO Union Station
