Holiday Trains in Missouri

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.