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Santa waits in the baggage car for the start of this years journey. |  |
Santa tosses candy and toys from the train in Shelby, KY |
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As the whistle blows, Santa tosses a couple hats to the crowd in Shelby, KY. |  |
Santa tosses a stuffed animal in Marrowbone, KY. |
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Santa's helper tosses toys out to everyone in Elkhorn City, KY. |  |
The Santa Train stops just short of the Elkhorn City Railroad Museum. |
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This little girl is ready for Santa to toss a toy to her in Elkhorn City, KY. |  |
As the train departs Elkhorn City, it passes mile post #1 on the former Clinchfield Railroad. |
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The train exits Stateline Tunnel located in the Breaks Interstate Park. |  |
Crossing over Hills Mill Bridge in Haysi, VA. |
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Another view of this years train heading south into Haysi, VA. |  |
Even the cold rain doesn't stop Haysi from coming out to see Santa this year. |
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Looking down on the Haysi crowd from the hillside. |  |
Exiting Sykes Mill Tunnel as it arrives in Clinchco, VA. |
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The toys and gifts are stacked near the platform ready to be passed out in Clinchco, VA. |  |
Located in Clinchco, Santa and his helpers toss a small portion of the 15 tons of gifts and candy from the train. |
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Arriving in Fremont, VA the CSX crew keeps everyone safe as the train arrives on schedule. |  |
Looking down from State Hwy 83 overpass you can see Santa and his helpers are ready. |
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Santa and his reliable helper wave as they depart Fremont, VA. |  |
Passing McClure, VA the media crew interview the one and only Don Royston. |
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Once a large coal town, everyone is happy to see the Santa Train arrive in Dante, VA. |  |
2013 Santa Train has departed Dante as it passes the Union Baptist Church. |
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A different angle view from the front entrance of the Union Baptist Church located at the north end of Dante yard. |  |
As the train enters Dante yard, you can see times have changed. Back in the day, this yard would be full of black diamonds. |
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As the train heads south, Santa waves at a family along the tracks. |  |
The 71st CSX Santa Train charges thru Hamlin, VA. |
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CSX #4043 is a newer rebuilt SD40-3 with a Lego style wide cab known as the Frankenforty. |  |
Heading thru Boody, a mom and her son step up to the rails to wave at the crew and Santa as the train passes. |
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Just under halfway through the route the Santa Train is at Boody, VA. |
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Santa and the crew wave as they head into St Paul, VA. |
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Heading into St Paul, CSX will have to crossover the Norfolk Southern main before it's next stop. |  |
St Paul gives Santa a big welcome as the sun finally starts to peak thru the clouds. |
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St Paul is one of fourteen stops along the route that has a fairly large crowd. They also toss candy and toys from a truck. |  |
Kree Harrison who was one of the finalist for American Idol, helped distribute over 15 tons of gifts and toys to the families along the 110 mile route. |
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Santa, Kree and the rest of the helpers are passing out gifts in St Paul, VA. |  |
As Santa tosses the last gift off the observation car the engineer blows the whistle ready to depart. |
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As the Santa Train passes thru Miller Yard, one of CSX newest units #3134 (ES44AC-H) is holding on the passing track. |  |
Passing the South end of Miller Yard. This was once a large yard when the Clinchfield was in full operation. |
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Ready to pass thru Towns Tunnel, next stop Dungannon, VA. |  |
As CSX# 4043 heads thru Osborne Curve the sun is finally shining. |
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CSX safety crew pace the Santa Train in the red F-250 as the train heads toward Dungannon, VA. |  |
Santa, Kree, Samuel and the other crew are all smiles as they head thru Wood, VA. |
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As the train arrives in Fort Blackmore, VA the crowd awaits to see Santa. |  |
Santa and his helpers throw gifts from the train at Fort Blackmore. It is stop eleven of the fourteen locations along the route. |
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The CSX Santa Train always runs the Saturday before Thanksgiving. |  |
High above the Clinch River looking down at Starnes, VA. |
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Lead engine #4034 charges through the Twin Tunnels located in Hill, VA. |  |
A view from the observation car as they cross the massive Copper Creek Viaduct. |
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Someone has spotted the train and as you can tell, he's all smiles to see it arrive! |  |
A wide shot of the viaduct from the bank of the Clinch River as the train eases across for the view. |
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Lead unit #4034. Before the engine was rebuilt it was L&N / Seaboard System #8005 |  |
Built in 1908, Copper Creek is almost 1500' long and 167' tall. NS Appalachia District is located below. |
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Before it heads into Tunnel #30, Clinch Mountain Tunnel, it crosses over US 23/58 in Speers Ferry, VA. |  |
Santa, Kree and her helper passing out gifts and toys in Kermit, TN. |
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Entering Kingsport, TN as it crosses North Fork Holston River Bridge. |  |
End of the line for this years Santa Train as it arrives in Kingsport. Santa will hop on the fire truck for the annual parade. |
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Shawn Robinson is at the throttle as they pull into Kingsport this year. |  |
CSX Crew: L to R - Brakeman - Scott "Budgy" Peterson, Road Foreman - Larry Herren, Engineer- Shawn Robinson, Conductor- Aaron Toney (Not in photo) |
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2013 Santa Train is over as the train passes thru Carter Yard across from Eastman. |  |
Set with a new crew and new train number they head south to Jacksonville, FL as it crosses Boones Creek Viaduct. |