CSX Santa Train Runs on the Clinchfield Route

The CSX Santa Claus train returned to the rails last weekend after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Santa Train ran between Pikesville, Kentucky, and Kingsport, Tennessee, over the former Clinchfield Railroad.

One crew operated the train, which made made 14 stops in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. During the journey on Saturday CSX and the train’s co-sponsors gave away 16,000 toys and backpacks.

On board was CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs who said he had learned about the train the day before he was announced earlier this year as the Class 1 railroad’s next CEO. He said he asked what could be done to bring it back.

Aside from having just one operating crew run the train the length of its route, the CSX engineering department also provided protection for the train during stops. In previous years those duties had been undertaken by operating personnel.

It was the 80^th running of the Santa train and it drew large crowds along the way.

Tags: Clinchfield Railroad, Clinchfield Santa Train, CSX Santa Train, Santa Claus trains