Santa Train keeps Christmas on track

Ken Beck

The Tennessean, Nashville

Standing at St. Nick’s side, Nashville singer-songwriter Amy Grant (“Tennessee Christmas”) served as celebrity guest on Saturday’s 72nd annual Santa Train, an Appalachian holiday tradition that shares 15 tons of toys, dolls, candy and winter clothing to children in 14 communities in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. The railway gift-giving event, sponsored by CSX, Dignity U Wear, Food City and the Kingsport (Tennessee) Chamber of Commerce, requires the efforts of 500 volunteers.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Christmas came a month early for hundreds of country girls and boys Saturday as the Santa Train merrily moseyed through rural Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.

A 110-mile magical sleigh ride along the rails, this Appalachian holiday tradition began in 1943. This year, the jolly gift-giver spread smiles across the miles as he and his helpers distributed 15 tons of toys, dolls, food, candy and cold weather gear at stops in 14 communities along the tracks.

The most popular word on this glorious day?

"Santa!"

Indeed, "Santa! Santa!" spouted from the lips of children as they stood near the back of the train as Mr. Claus and volunteer elves tossed soft toys and candy into crowds that ranged from several hundred to more than a thousand. Tots raise their hands high in the air and many children perched on Dad's shoulders as they attempted to snare St. Nick's attention.

"I run on pure adrenaline because it's such a long day," says Santa, who goes under the guise of Don Royston, a Kingsport accountant, the rest of the year. "I'm on back of the train from 6:15 in the morning till 3:08, and then I get to introduce the celebrity and ride in the Kingsport Christmas Parade."

Filling the boots of celebrity guest this year was jingle belle Amy Grant, who also pitched gifts to the children.

Santa Claus tosses a teddy bear to a girl riding on her father’s shoulders at one of the stops along the 110-mile route of the Santa Train, which commences in Shelby, Ky., and concludes about 8½ hours later in Kingsport, Tenn.

"I wish I could throw farther," said the Nashville singer-songwriter. "I mean, that eye contact when you're on the back of the train and you're holding a teddy bear; like, you know, if a locked gaze could be a zip line and you could just make that teddy bear go right to that child."

In its 72nd year, the Santa Train departed Shelby, Ky., near dawn in a bone-chilling 28 degrees, but the ride grew warmer with the rising sun and the flourishing goodwill as folks on the train took turns at each stop passing out color-coded bags geared toward boys and girls and specific age ranges.

The adventure, sponsored by CSX, Dignity U Wear, Food City and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, takes more than 500 volunteers, who labor all year long to make it happen.

At the train's first stop in Marrowbone, Ky., Jason Atkins' face glowed with glee as his 4-year-old son received one of the gift bags holding a blanket and toys.

"I've been coming since I been 9 years old, for 32 years," he says. "It's a tradition for us. We love to see Santa. We want to carry it on for many years."

Calli Caudill, 12, of Bart Lick, Va., exclaims, "I got a doll, bingo and a bag. This is fun and exciting and a great experience. The best part is being able to see everybody happy."

And Susan "Tootsie" Williams of Alley Valley, Va., brought her granddaughter, Skyler, 1½.

"This is her first trip to the Santy Train," Williams said. "It makes me smile. There's not a lot to smile about anymore. A lot of these children, this will be Christmas for them and that's wonderful."

Vocalist Grant summed it up: "It's a great reminder that the best feeling comes from giving, and that showing up makes a difference. We had to show up on the train, and the people had to show up in the cold. It goes both ways, and everybody left with a better feeling."

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