Santa and Holiday Trains are a Christmas theme enjoyed by children and adults. The Holiday Express Train of the Kansas City Southern Rail Line travels across eight states, bring a message of good will and holiday cheer. People along the route can enjoy the sight of the decorated trains as it pulls into stations across Missouri. For people who enjoy model trains, the Gardenland Express in St. Louis is opening for the holiday scenes.
The Holiday Express Train by the Kansas City Southern Rail Line will bring Santa Claus and elves to 28 stops in 26 communities across eight states. The KCS Holiday Express will stop in cities along the route in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.
The Holiday Express is led by engine Southern Belle. The train has six cars, including a smiling tank car “Rudy”, a flat car transporting Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a ginger bread box car, the elves workshop, reindeer stable and a little red caboose.
Every year’s train has a different theme and fresh decor. The 2007 them is Santa Claus. Visitors will get a chance to visit with Santa. There will be images of the Jolly Old Elf throughout the train, which visitors can browse through. There is a castle exhibit in the red caboose.
The Holiday Express Train was built on the tradition of the former Gateway Western (GWWR) Santa Train. In 2000 KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas that some kids had. Some kids did not even have essential clothing, like hats, gloves and coats. This touched the employees who decided to elevate the event into a project that benefited the communities.
The Holiday Express Train is free and open to the public. KCS makes a contribution of Wal-Mart gift cards to the local Salvation Army at each stop. The Wal-Mart gift cards are used to provide warm clothing for children in need. Contributions raised from KCS Employees, vendors and friends gathered $122,700 to purchase the gift cards. Major sponsors include American Railcar Industries, CorpLogoWare, DST Systems Inc, , Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences, Kinder Morgan, Michael and Martys Haverty and Watco Companies.
Holiday Express will be stopping in the following cities in Missouri. See the KC Southern website for additional information:
December 11: Anderson at Anderson City Hall
December 13: Drexel
December 15: Kansas City, Union Station
December 16: Kansas City, Union Station.
December 17: Mexico, MO
December 20: Slater, at the Depot.
December 21: Grain Valley
December 22: Blue Springs
Gardenland Express “Wilderness Escape” Holiday Flower and Train Show, St. Louis, MO. The Missouri Botanical Garden plans a rustic “Wilderness Escape” to the great mountains of America’s western national parks. The miniature railroad winds through a scene of mountains, forests and lodges. The designers have created a miniature replica of Yosemite, Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful Inn and the Old Faithful geyser. The trains travel past historic images of Glacier national Park and the Grand Canyon. Miniature tress and plants grown along the G-scale model railroad tracks. Greenland Express is known for intricate details. Visitors will be able to spot tiny moose, deer, bears, buffaloes, campers and Native Americans. The western animals and people are set among cabins, inns and tents. The model train display is located throughout the 5,000 square foot Orthwein Floral Display Hall in St. Louis. The Gardenland Express: Wilderness Escape opened on November 21 and continues through January 1. Entry fee is $3 plus Garden admission (&8 Adults, free for children). 1-800-642-8842.
Enjoy the train displays and special excursions in Missouri during the holiday season.
For more on holiday trains, see Chicagoland’s Holiday Model Train Displays, Holiday Trains in Wisconsin, Holiday Model Trains in Ohio, Holiday Trains in Michigan and Holiday Model Trains in Pennsylvania.
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
All Aboard!
