Echoes of Appalachia

The hills of central Appalachia welcomed a yearly burst of color, sound, and cheer as the CSX Santa Train made its celebrated run through the region on Saturday and was it ever something to see. Crowds lined the tracks from early morning, eager for a glimpse of Santa, the sparkle of holiday lights gliding across the rails, and the sense of unity that this train sparks every year. For many families, this rolling celebration marks the official start of the season, a moment filled with anticipation and heartfelt joy.

The CSX Santa Train has traveled its 110-mile route for more than eight decades. With each run, it reinforces the bond between communities that dot the mountain landscape. Generations have gathered along the tracks, waving from the same spots where parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents once stood. Santa himself summed it up warmly while speaking with riders, describing the powerful mix of ages that gather for this longtime family event. Families bring tiny infants wrapped in blankets, while elders in chairs or blankets of their own settle in to greet the train as it rumbles down the line. Every age group arrives with equal excitement, each person ready to welcome a tradition that feels both timeless and refreshingly vibrant every year.

Reporter Natalea Hillen rode aboard the train this weekend, witnessing scene after scene of delight. She described children sprinting toward the tracks with gloved hands raised high, hoping to catch toys tossed by Santa. Parents held little ones close and watched with shining eyes as characters in bright costumes waved from railcars. Each stop along the route erupted with applause and cheers, carrying across frosty valleys in bursts of festive energy.

The train’s origins stretch back to 1943, during a period when families across Appalachia faced hardship. Rail companies and community leaders partnered to deliver gifts to children in remote mountain towns, offering holiday cheer during a difficult era. Over time, the event grew from a simple distribution of presents into a cherished tradition. Today, the train remains a symbol of generosity, care, and enduring regional pride. Many who come to greet it express a profound sense of belonging. The train’s whistle echoes through valleys, awakening memories for older generations and creating fresh ones for children who will someday tell their own families about the year they first saw the Santa Train.

This year’s turnout reached into the hundreds at each stop. Families traveled from miles away, packing vehicles with blankets, thermoses, and eager children who could hardly contain their anticipation. Many waited for hours in chilly mountain air. Though the cold settled heavily across the ridges, warmth filled every gathering spot as neighbors shared stories, offered coffee or cocoa, and laughed together while they waited.

When the bright engines finally came into view, the atmosphere shifted in an instant. Children clapped and hopped in place. Adults raised their phones to capture the moment. Train workers leaned from railings with wide grins, waving and calling out greetings. As Santa stepped forward, cheers rose even higher. Toys flew through the crisp air into waiting hands, and laughter rippled across the crowds.

This event means more than toys or holiday lights. For many communities along the route, the Santa Train represents a bridge that connects remote mountain towns with a larger regional identity. Life in Appalachia carries a rhythm shaped by family ties, hard work, and close-knit neighborhoods. Though economic changes have affected the region over the decades, the spirit of unity remains powerful. The Santa Train amplifies that unity in a rare and memorable way. People from small hollows and ridge-top homes gather in groups, bringing their voices together in celebration.

Parents often describe the train as a gift of memory as much as a gift of toys. Many recount experiences from childhood when they stood in the same spots their children stand now. The continuity of the tradition strengthens family bonds. Each generation has something to pass down. Children grow up hearing stories about past Santa Trains, eventually adding their own stories to the growing tapestry of shared recollection.

Hillen noted that the sparkle in children’s eyes seemed to grow with each passing mile. Younger children pressed their faces to the railcar windows as they watched crowds unfold below. Older children engaged in excited commentary, arguing cheerfully about who might catch specific toys or which stop might have the biggest gathering. At several points, the train slowed so families could wave or call out messages of holiday cheer. The sense of connection traveled both directions. Riders felt the crowds’ energy, and the crowds felt the presence of the riders.

Volunteers and organizers work for months to prepare for this single day. Their efforts include selecting toys, packing them securely, coordinating stops, and partnering with local leaders across multiple counties. Volunteers often view the event as a highlight of their service year. Many have participated for decades. They speak with pride about the privilege of delivering happiness directly into children’s hands. The logistical challenges of running a 110-mile celebration never outweigh the emotional value they witness.

Santa himself offered reflections during the trip. He spoke warmly about the vast range of ages represented along the route. Tiny infants nestled in their parents’ arms, while elders wrapped in blankets waved from folding chairs. Families lined up along fences, near old rail stations, and on hillside clearings where the train could be seen from afar. Santa described the emotion he felt while tossing toys and greetings toward each cluster of people. He expressed gratitude for the longevity of the event, and for the families who return year after year.

That longevity stems from a deep respect for regional culture. Appalachia treasures traditions that emphasize family, storytelling, and shared experiences. The landscape itself encourages gatherings, with mountainsides and valleys forming natural spaces for people to come together. When the Santa Train winds through these spaces, it brings a sense of celebration that blends perfectly with the rhythm of the land. Each stop becomes a small festival, filled with smiles and anticipation.

Community leaders often emphasize the train’s influence on regional morale. The holiday season can bring challenges for families facing economic strain, health concerns, or seasonal hardships. Seeing a train filled with cheerful faces, gifts, and music can lift spirits profoundly. Many attendees speak of renewed hope during the event. They describe feeling valued and remembered, as though the train acknowledges the strength and resilience of their communities.

Children were the brightest stars of this year’s journey. Their excitement carried across each stop. Parents helped them climb small embankments or stand behind safety lines while they waited. As toys landed in their hands, children squealed with delight. Some hugged their new treasures instantly. Others turned to show siblings or cousins, eager to compare what each had received. These moments unfolded again and again along the entire route, forming a long ribbon of joy stretched across the mountains.

Conversations with families revealed deep appreciation for the event. One mother said she planned to bring her children every year as long as she could. An elderly grandfather recalled his first memory of the Santa Train in the 1950s, describing how he and his siblings ran through snow to reach the tracks in time. A local teacher explained how many of her students counted down the days each fall until the train arrived. Their excitement carried into classrooms, where children recounted stories from past years.

Each of these stories contributes to a larger regional narrative. The Santa Train reveals the heart of Appalachia through shared experience. It celebrates kindness, connection, and a holiday spirit that reaches far beyond presents. The journey highlights how traditions can uplift communities across generations. As the train moves along its route, it carries more than toys. It carries the memory of hundreds of past journeys, the laughter of families that have come and gone, and the hope of families that will continue to gather along the tracks.

As the final miles of this year’s route approached, riders reflected on the scenes they had witnessed. Hillen described feeling moved by the scale of the celebration. Each wave, shout, and smile reminded her of the influence of this yearly event. When the train ultimately slowed for its final stop, there was a sense of quiet accomplishment among the volunteers and staff. They had delivered holiday cheer across an entire region once again.

As long as families continue to gather and children continue to watch the horizon for the first sign of holiday colors on the rails, the CSX Santa Train will remain an enduring symbol of Appalachian spirit. It speaks to the power of continuity, generosity, and shared joy. Through changing times and shifting landscapes, one thing remains steady. When the Santa Train whistles through the mountains, Appalachia gathers with open arms, eager to celebrate together.

This year proved that the magic of the Santa Train continues to shine. Families arrived in large numbers. Volunteers worked with passion. Santa greeted thousands. Cheer traveled across 110 miles of rails, carried by laughter, music, and the resilient heart of a region that values tradition above all.

The CSX Santa Train will roll again next year, and families will be waiting on hillsides, along tracks, and near small stations with hearts filled with expectation. The holiday season in Appalachia would feel incomplete without this bright and cherished moment on the rails, and many already look forward to welcoming it once more.

-Tim Carmichael