In years past, Santa and his helpers would throw out
goodies anywhere
along the line where they spotted chil- dren and well-wishers. Today, candy and other gifts are thrown from the back of the train—only while the train is stopped—at specific gift stops. The length of time spent at each gift stop is proportional to the size of the crowd. Additionally, Santa’s “Elves” will walk through the crowds at the stops, hand- ing out gender and age-specific gift bags for the children; approximately 5000 of these gift bags are distributed during each run of the Santa Train. The Elves also give rolls of wrapping paper to the adults that have gathered. Bundled against the frost and the
cold, in hats, scarves, and coats of all colors, crowds gather at these “gift stops” well in advance of the train’s ar- rival. For many, the train’s annual trek through this corner of the Appalachi- ans signals the beginning of the Christ- mas season. There is a tension of ex- pectancy in the air; the excitement is palpable.
For the railfan, not only is there the
appeal of chasing a “passenger” train on the Clinchfield, but also the attrac- tion of photographing older power in the lead on this typically all-a.c. trac- tion route. Santa Train engineers es- chew the wide-cab SD70s and CW44s that dominate the Clinchfield, prefer- ring the better visibility provided by older, “standard cab” locomotives. In recent years, the power has typically been an SD40-2, with CSX’s “executive” F40PH’s tucked in behind for head end power; in 2010, the train was pulled by an SD50 and a single F40PH. While the railfan photographer is no doubt most interested in the locomo- tives and the scenic route through which they pull the Santa Train, it should be mentioned that there is also photographic appeal in the gaggles of people that meet the train at each gift stop. The real photographs are found with the crowds, in the giving, and in the faces of the children. Magic rides the rails when this train makes its run, and there’s a great spirit that runs through these crowds, and you’d have to be a close relation of Scrooge or the Grinch not to have your heart warmed
TOP: Rolling over the McClure River and Route 63, Santa waves to photographers gathered at the Clinchco, Va., post office on November 22, 2008. A little snow on the ground
helps add to the holiday spirit.
MIDDLE: In a classic Clinchfield scene, No- vember 18, 2006, finds the Santa Claus Spe- cial passing the Union Baptist Church in Dante, Va. RIGHT: A famous Clinchfield pho- to spot is Log Cabin Curve (also known as Os- borne’s Curve) just north of Dungannon, Va. SD50 No. 8506 leads the 2010 Santa Train on November 20, 2010.
40 DECEMBER 2011 •
RAILFAN.COM
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