The Clinchfield Santa Train is taking a longer way around to the CRR territory this trip after Hurricane Helene wiped out a portion of the line below Kingsport. And instead of zipping up the A-Line and cutting across, they are going north towards Cincinnati then down. This year's train really looks the part with their "Holiday Express" cars on the rear, too. This will be a welcome sight for many. It will include a bonus stop in Erwin two days before the Santa run. The region the train is in isn't far from Waycross, but you can see the damage the storm brought to the area here, with debris cleanup still in full force.
CSX has diverse passenger operations that include office car specials, trips to major events like the Kentucky Derby, track geometry trains and the annual Santa Claus train over the northern section of the fallen flag Clinchfield Railroad.