CSX Transportation Historical Society

-->

CSX Santa Train - 2022

Rail Fan Adventure --

Although cold (mid-20s) the forecast was to be clear. It has been two years since the Santa Train last ran; cancelled supposedly because of Covid. It wouldn’t have run this year had not new CSX CEO Joe Henrichs re-instated it at the first of his tenure. My daughter’s “feller” James Hensley had not experienced the Santa Train, so he was anxious to see it. I picked him up at 0600, and we overtook the train at Marrowbone (Regina post office) while it was still dark.

1. The schedule followed the one of recent years. Santa Train schedule 2022.
The schedule followed the one of recent years. Santa Train schedule 2022.

2. Santa Train route 2022.
Santa Train route 2022.

3. The Santa Train arrives Elkhorn City precisely at 0705 for a 20 minute pause. CSX 1-3-2 F40PH-2s are the power. 11-19-2022.
The Santa Train arrives Elkhorn City precisely at 0705 for a 20 minute pause. CSX 1-3-2 F40PH-2s are the power. 11-19-2022.

4. CSX Santa train. Elkhorn City.
CSX Santa train. Elkhorn City.

5. CSX Santa train. Elkhorn City.
CSX Santa train. Elkhorn City.

6. New CSX CEO Joe Henrichs is second from the right wearing the red toboggan and black jacket. At the time I didn’t know he was on the train. CSX Elkhorn City.
New CSX CEO Joe Henrichs is second from the right wearing the red toboggan and black jacket. At the time I didn’t know he was on the train. CSX Elkhorn City.

7. Picking up speed at Elkhorn Yard. Departing Elkhorn City. CSX 1-3-2.
Picking up speed at Elkhorn Yard. Departing Elkhorn City. CSX 1-3-2.

8. Train P001-19 slowly comes out of Sykes Mill Tunnel for the 0840 stop at Clinchco VA. CSX 1-3-2 arrives Clinchco .
Train P001-19 slowly comes out of Sykes Mill Tunnel for the 0840 stop at Clinchco VA. CSX 1-3-2 arrives Clinchco .

9. I had the lens opened to full wide angle but forgot to remove the filter! CSX employees are on hand to ensure safety. Clear on the signal. CSX arrives Clinchco.
I had the lens opened to full wide angle but forgot to remove the filter! CSX employees are on hand to ensure safety. Clear on the signal. CSX arrives Clinchco.

10. Santa and CSX arrive Clinchco.
Santa and CSX arrive Clinchco.

11. CSX at Clinchco.
CSX at Clinchco.

12. Leaving Clinchco and crossing the McClure River. CSX 1-3-2.
Leaving Clinchco and crossing the McClure River. CSX 1-3-2.

13. Running beside Allen passing siding just south of McClure. In the background is a huge ventilation fan for the McClure coal mine. CSX 1-3-2.
Running beside Allen passing siding just south of McClure. In the background is a huge ventilation fan for the McClure coal mine. CSX 1-3-2.

14. CSX 994310 was formerly the “West Virginia.” It is used for storage of the gifts to be distributed on the trip. Jervis Langdon was president of the B&O at the time of the merger with C&O. McClure VA.
CSX 994310 was formerly the “West Virginia.” It is used for storage of the gifts to be distributed on the trip. Jervis Langdon was president of the B&O at the time of the merger with C&O. McClure VA.

15. Trammel VA. The passing siding is now used for storing “tubs.” CSX 1-3-2.
Trammel VA. The passing siding is now used for storing “tubs.” CSX 1-3-2.

16. At mile post 32.49, P001-19 heads toward Sandy Ridge Tunnel, the longest on the old Clinchfield at 7,854 ft. This is the crest of the grade from Elkhorn City. Trammel VA.
At mile post 32.49, P001-19 heads toward Sandy Ridge Tunnel, the longest on the old Clinchfield at 7,854 ft. This is the crest of the grade from Elkhorn City. Trammel VA.

17. In a couple of miles the Santa Train will be stopping at Dante. Trammel VA.
In a couple of miles the Santa Train will be stopping at Dante. Trammel VA.

18. At Hamlin VA between Dante and St. Paul. CSX 1-3-2.
At Hamlin VA between Dante and St. Paul. CSX 1-3-2.

19. P001-19 descends a gentle grade along Lick Creek to its confluence with the Clinch River at Boody. CSX 1-3-2. Hamlin VA.
P001-19 descends a gentle grade along Lick Creek to its confluence with the Clinch River at Boody. CSX 1-3-2. Hamlin VA.

20. Santa has a 20 minute visit at St. Paul VA. I used the time to photograph the engines and cars that follow very closely the Baltimore & Ohio scheme. CSX 1 F40PH-2.
Santa has a 20 minute visit at St. Paul VA. I used the time to photograph the engines and cars that follow very closely the Baltimore & Ohio scheme. CSX 1 F40PH-2.

21. CSX at St Paul VA.
CSX at St Paul VA.

22. CSX 3 F40PH-2. St Paul VA.
CSX 3 F40PH-2. St Paul VA.

23. All of the F40s came from Amtrak. These units vary in length, and I’m not sure why. CSX 2 F40PH-2. St Paul VA
All of the F40s came from Amtrak. These units vary in length, and I’m not sure why. CSX 2 F40PH-2. St Paul VA

24. CSX 994318 was the glass-ended observation car used on the inspection train back last winter. Prime F Osborn III was head of Seaboard Coast Line Industries when it merged with Chessie System to form CSX. St Paul VA.
CSX 994318 was the glass-ended observation car used on the inspection train back last winter. Prime F Osborn III was head of Seaboard Coast Line Industries when it merged with Chessie System to form CSX. St Paul VA.

25. CSX 994363. Champion “Champ” M Davis was a president of the Atlantic Coast Line. St Paul VA.
CSX 994363. Champion “Champ” M Davis was a president of the Atlantic Coast Line. St Paul VA.

26. CSX 994319 was not used on last winter’s inspection train. Robert R. Young gained control of Allegheny Corp. and the C&O during the late 1940s and early 1950s. He dreamed of a merger with the New York Central. When that didn’t happen he moved to control the NYC. St Paul VA.
CSX 994319 was not used on last winter’s inspection train. Robert R. Young gained control of Allegheny Corp. and the C&O during the late 1940s and early 1950s. He dreamed of a merger with the New York Central. When that didn’t happen he moved to control the NYC. St Paul VA.

27. The Santa Train pulls out at 11:13. CSX 2-3-1. St Paul VA.
The Santa Train pulls out at 11:13. CSX 2-3-1. St Paul VA.

28. CSX 994317 is named for the late Chessie and CSX chairman Hays T Watkins Jr. Watkins orchestrated the merger of Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line with Prime Osborn. Hays was also a huge benefactor to the C&O Historical Society to which we are eternally indebted. St Paul VA.
CSX 994317 is named for the late Chessie and CSX chairman Hays T Watkins Jr. Watkins orchestrated the merger of Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line with Prime Osborn. Hays was also a huge benefactor to the C&O Historical Society to which we are eternally indebted. St Paul VA.

Time to get some lunch!

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young