Comments on: Get ready for the Santa Train

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 17:19:44 +0000

Every time I read anything about the Santa Train, I become saddened. I never saw the train, but was reared in SW Virginia along the N&W Railway and experiened the hardships of being poor and knowing those who were. A wonderful tradition to bring some joy to the children who are so needy.

By: Silver Packages | Our Journey Westward

Silver Packages | Our Journey Westward — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 20:17:18 +0000

[...] decided to each buy a gift to give to a needy child. We were going to send the gifts to the real gift train, but in the end the kids decided they would rather help a child in our own community. So, with [...]

By: Julie Corwin

Julie Corwin — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:30:13 +0000

The Santa on the train for many years was my godfather and our closest family friend. There was an article in People Magazine many years ago featuring him. He is still alive and well at age 85.

By: Christmas Note #12: The Santa Train | Reading, Writing, Ranting and Raving

Christmas Note #12: The Santa Train | Reading, Writing, Ranting and Raving — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:42:23 +0000

[...] a lovely story so I thought I’d share the link to history of the event. See below. http://www.appalachianhistory.net/2010/11/get-ready-for-the-santa-train.html Photo from [...]

By: JACK STAPLETON

JACK STAPLETON — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:44:40 +0000

I was raised in elkhorn city also,i remember good food at the white star.I have lots of memories of getting up early in the morning and going to the old depot to see santa and get toys and candy.daddy woud drive real fast to get to east end so we could see him again.Memories of living in elkhorn are still vivid in my mind.i pray your family is well.
MERRY CHRISTMAS

By: Gerald Looney

Gerald Looney — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:21:01 +0000

I was born and raised in Elkhorn City, Kentucky and was one of those kids in the 1940′s that greeted the Santa train as it started its journey from Elkhorn City. My parents ran the only restaurant in Elkhorn so the railroad employees ate their meals at the White Star restaurat and we knew them all by their first names. I made many many trips on the old Clinchfield RR as my grandfather was one of the engineers driving the train and we would travel to the end of the line at Spartanburg to visit with my fathers older sister. First activity upon arrival was to take a bath as my eyes and hair would be full of cinders. Sometimes we would stop and stay in Erwin Tennessee as that is where my mothers parents lived and was also the HQ of the Clinchfield. I can vividly remember traveling to Erwin and Spartanburg during the WW2 years and many times would go visit the “mail car” that was part of the train and talking with the USPS employees. Excitement came at each small town that had a post office with the delivery and pick up of the mail without stopping the train. For a 8-9 year old boy this was a real thrill.