Login | Create New Account | Facebook | Twitter
Homes | Jobs | Wheels | Worship | IShopTheTri | Move To Kingsport | Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Print
Thousands line rails as Santa Train makes its 67th annual trip through region
ABOARD THE SANTA TRAIN — The throngs of people waiting at 14 stops made Saturday by the Santa Train were larger than crowds for the train in recent years, according to observations by the Jolly Old Elf himself.
“It’s a beautiful day,” said Santa Claus from a balcony on the back of the train, as it neared the end of its 110-mile journey from Shelby, Ky. to downtown Kingsport. “The Lord provided us just one perfect avenue,” Claus said. “Crowds were up everywhere. I’d say by at least 20 to 25 percent. We’ve had a good day.”
The Santa Train, which made its 67th annual trek Saturday, is sponsored by CSX, Food City and the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce.
Workers for each of those three organizations, along with a host of volunteers and special guest Wynonna Judd, distributed more than 15 tons of gifts during the train’s run.
Judd, winner of five Grammy awards and eight CMA awards, recently celebrated 25 years in the music business and will kick off her third annual “A Classic Christmas” next weekend.
Her son and daughter joined her on the Santa Train, and all three helped Santa and the rest of his “elves” at stops throughout the day — Judd usually from the rear of the train with Santa, and her son Elijah and her daughter Grace helping as “ground crew,” leaving the train at stops to take gifts into the crowds.
“The first half of the trip I cried a lot,” said Judd, who grew up in Ashland, Ky. “I saw my mom, with two girls. I saw the single parents. It brought me back to when we lived here, before we made it.”
As the trip progressed, Judd said, her experiences on the train ran the gamut — from the tears, to joy, to humor.
“I’ve kind of gone the emotional roller coaster,” Judd said. “I think I’ve seen it all.”
Judd’s mother, Naomi, was Santa’s special guest on the train a few years ago — and daughter said mother had told her some of what to expect from riding the train.
“She prepped me and said ‘this is going to be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do,’ ” Judd said. “She said it would be very intimate, it would be very overwhelming, like trying to take a drink from a fire hose. And that’s how I have felt all day today. It’s been awesome.”
She hopes to ride the train again next year — and plans to do everything she can in the months in between to raise awareness about the Santa Train, with a specific goal: getting more toys donated to the train.
“We need more toys,” Judd said. “The kids want toys, and I get that. So I’m on a mission.”
Judd said she hopes her mother, and perhaps even her sister Ashley can join her on the Santa Train next year.
“I’m from Appalachia,” Judd said to the crowd in Kingsport after getting off the train. “Raised by a single mother, on welfare. Riding the train today I saw myself and my mother and my sister in the crowd. And I just want you all to know, be thankful — I’m not preaching, I’m just teaching — be thankful for everything you have and for the fact that you have one another. Honestly. Because we have what we need. And today I saw people who didn’t.”
A woman in the crowd yelled out “There is hope.”
“There is always hope,” Judd said. “If you see me, you know there is hope, because if I can do it, anybody can. Don’t you ever give up on your dreams. God Bless America. Merry Christmas.”
Judd was not the only special guest on this year’s Santa Train.
As winners of the first-ever Santa Train essay writing contest, John H. Puckett and Thomas Sargent each rode the train.
A native of Dungannon and graduate of Castlewood High School, Puckett, 70, worked for CSX Transportation for 39 years before his retirement.
His daughter entered the contest with an essay which detailed Puckett’s story of growing up as a poor farmer and desperately wanting to work for Clinchfield Railroad (later CSX). Parts of his duties at CSX were to help load the Santa Train, and for 39 years he did so very happily.
A native of Kingsport, Sargent, 81, has not missed the Santa Train in decades. Sargent worked for Mead Paper Co. (now Domtar Paper Company) for 34 years and would stop and talk to employees helping with the trains.
For 53 consecutive years, Sargent has taken his three children and wife to see Santa pull into Kingsport. Sargent, too, won after his daughter entered an essay in the contest.
Both men said they were surprised by their wins — and both said the experience of riding the train was even more exciting than they ever imagined.
“It’s a lot bigger operation than I thought it was,” Sargent said. “All I’d ever seen was Santa on the back and the gifts being tossed off. It’s very well-organized. Everybody knows what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Puckett said he will cherish the memories from riding the train, notably the way children react when they get a gift.
Sargent said helping toss gifts to the crowd was as much fun for him as it was for the children in the crowd getting the gifts.
Both men were among Santa’s helpers on the back of the train at its stop in Dungannon.
Puckett said he expected his daughter to be there — and when the train rolled in to the stop, a larger banner could be seen in the crowd: “Scott County Loves John Puckett.”
In addition to support from its three primary sponsors, the Santa Train’s 15-plus tons of gifts come from donors — both large and small.
Among the larger donations this year: Kids Wish Network donated more than $130,000 in toys to the Santa Train.
Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of life for children.
Santa only takes new clothes or toys on the train. Gifts and monetary donations, may be sent to: Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Santa Train, 151 East Main Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.
All monetary donations go toward the Santa Train Scholarship, which is awarded to a high school senior along the 110-mile Santa Train route between Kingsport and Pikeville, Ky.
The recipient is chosen based on grade point average, extracurricular activities, financial need, work records and an adviser’s recommendation. This is a four-year scholarship worth $5,000. To date, the Kingsport Chamber has given 26 scholarships totaling $130,000.
To comment, you must register.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the registered user participating in online discussions. You agree not to post comments off topic, abusive, obscene, defamatory, vulgar, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned.
- Internet rape case flags dangers of Internet anonymity
- Charges pending against Wise Co. teen in connection with street race death
- Teacher aide on leave over allegations of improper relationship with student; Teacher accused of having sex with student
- Rain today, snow tonight and Wednesday
- Kingsport police allegedly find pot, pills hidden in man's dreadlocks
- Nearly 20-year sentence given in Johnson City child porn case
- Tenn. officials address child sexual abuse report
- Kingsport woman arrested after allegedly stabbing boyfriend with kitchen knife
- UFOs come to ETSU
- Tenn. lawmakers override veto on menu labeling
Most Popular News
Today | Week | Month | Year
Featured Blogger
"Who dat?" Avoid the snow goose gumbo, y'all
By George Thwaites - 2-3-2010
A recent release by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries gratis The Outdoor Wire caught my attention. It would appear that wildlife biol...- Shows for kids aren’t child-friendly
- Elizabethton police dog euthanized after being stabbed by boys
- Charges pending against Wise Co. teen in connection with street race death
- Fugitive crashes during police chase in Kingsport
- Indicted Surgoinsville Water Utility board member submits resignation
- Kingsport police allegedly find pot, pills hidden in man's dreadlocks
- In latest blow, Toyota recalls 437,000 Prius and other hybrids globally for brake problems
- Stop blaming teacher for kid’s failure
- Pizza delivery driver faces DUI, drug possession charges after hitting parked cars
- Tenn. lawmakers override veto on menu labeling
Most Discussed
Today | Week | Month | Year
topjobs
Browse Premiere Local Businesses
Home | Login | Local News | Obits | Sports | Business | Opinions | Blogs | Classifieds| Business Profiles
Web Feeds/RSS | Contact Us | Customer Service | Privacy Statement | Common Questions | E-Edition | Subscriptions | Site Map
© 2010 Kingsport Publishing Corporation - Innovation by Times Digital Group
My wife and I, as did others, followed the train yesterday from Shelby Yard to Copper Creek Viaduct. We watched the Haysi stop from a pullover above the tunnel and admittedly didn't see the ground support detraining to get gifts to those who didn't get anything thrown to them. The same was true at Shelby. We normally don't get into the crowds anywhere but Shelby but follow the train at length producing both video and still shots (for those of you on the rear yesterday, we're the purple Nissan with Davidson Co., TN tags).
I agree with Blige and thank Bennett for his work as well as all the others that have worked this train for 67 years.
Morrison's comment is what Blige was expecting. CSX's Regina Smith (a/k/a the Angel of the Santa Train) started detraining at each stop years ago in an effort to get gifts to everyone - is that still going on as we didn't see evidence at the two stops we saw up-close.
As for Bigoldi's post, obviously this Robyn S. didn't do her homework as to where the train runs. I have to agree with Wynonna's comment that the train is not well known, unless you're a die-hard Clinchfield Railroad enthusiast, of which there are many. Most won't know that yesterday's lead engine was delivered new to the Clinchfield Railroad as its number 3018.
Let's keep this train going and we'll be back next year. Additionally, about 20 or so of us will be on the Clinchfield next October for an annual half-week gathering of Clinchfield fans who will study the railroad, share video records among ourselves, and enjoy our common interest, the Clinchfield Railroad.
Addendum to the above story: Robyn S. and her herd of chilluns arrived in Duffield, VA- to get in on "some of that Santa Train action". As the herd unloaded from the SUV, Robyn was heard muttering under her breath, "this had better be worth my time and gas!" She spent approximately 30 minutes cordoning off a small area directly next to the tracks, in order to maximize her spawns' take.
She now intends to take up her intense displeasure with the Chamber of Commerce of SW Va, for having picked the wrong track, and the passing coal train didn't even tap the brakes as it rumbled by.
Wynnona wasn't available for comment on the matter.
I am one of the volunteers.its a great year every year for me.wynonna was unbelieveable.she took her time with each and every person on the way out.I know,because I was waiting on her to escort her back.as far as the "lack of toys", it is so hard to reach each and every person.the kids are our first priorty.they are so great.that is why I volunteer.its for them.I hope to see everyone of you all next year.if anyone can give donations,please do.you will make every kid there and along the route to kingsport smile. Thank you and Merry christmas.
Yea, like. My kid didn't get a good toy, and people were pushing, Blah blah. Go whine somewhere else it"s free stuff!
The Santa Train is a great tradition and I thank all of the volunteers and sponsors for helping bring holiday cheer to the needy in our area.
I am only saddened that in the next few days/weeks there will be the annual letters to the editor, describing the writers' Santa train horror stories.
I hope that the tradition continues for years to come, regardless of the naysayers.