Freight News, Rail

KCS Announces Results of Holiday Express Fundraising Campaign

[ November 27, 2015   //   Gary G Burrows ]

Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced today that its 15^th annual Holiday Express will distribute $159,500 in gift cards to The Salvation Army at stops along the Holiday Express route.

The gift cards are designated for the purchase of warm clothing and other necessities for kids in need. The 2015 fundraising effort was in memory of Willis F. Kilpatrick, who passed away in June. Kilpatrick was among the founders of the KCS Holiday Express in 2001 and was its head elf through 2012, retiring in early 2013.

“The KCS Holiday Express is an important project for our company and a joyful way to give back to the communities through which we operate,” said KCS CEO David L. Starling. “This year, we pay tribute to a special member of the Holiday Express family, so we are especially grateful to our employees, vendors and friends who made a contribution to honor his memory.”

The train will stop in 20 communities in seven states on 24 dates. Led by KCS’ Southern Belle business train, the Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread box car; an elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose. Each car is dressed in lights. At each stop, visitors can board the train, visit with Santa and his elves and tour the inside of three cars of the festive six-car train. Each event is free and open to the public.

Tags: Kansas City Southern