MY TRAIN RIDE

It's been almost a month since I wrote a blog entry, so I thought I might as well catch up today. I've been to some interesting places and seen some amazing sights, not to mention meeting some wonderful people. Let's just use this blog entry to talk about one in particular.



THE SANTA TRAIN
In mid November I was invited to ride on the 65th Annual Santa Train. I suppose most everyone knows of this event, but just in case, The Santa Train is a project of the Kingsport, TN Chamber of Commerce. It leaves the CSX Shelbiana train yard every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and travels to Kingsport. Santa and another celebrity,this year Patty Loveless, ride on the train and throw candy and toys to the crowds that gather at the 14 stops along the way.

THE HISTORIC RAIL CARS
So as not to have someone drive to Kingsport and pick me up at the end of the ride on Saturday, I drove to Kingsport on Friday and rode the train to Shelby. Folks, I had not ridden a train since I was bout 10 years old and I was absolutely fascinated by the ride. All the sights and sounds and tunnels and trestles along the way were amazing. The rail cars, all named for states, are restored passenger cars that once ran the rails all over the country, the earliest ones built in the 1920s and the latest in 1954.

The picture above is one of the cars with some of the Kingsport Chamber members and their guests. It shows just how nice the cars really are. Each car has a CSX employee that takes care of the people on that car. They can answer questions, give directions and they make sure that the snack trays are always full and that there is a plentiful supply coffee and soft drinks. These people were always polite, courteous and very friendly. Good down to earth folk.

THE MEDIA CAR "INDIANA"

The media reps all ride in one car and the picture above is a look inside "Indiana", that was the name of our media car. Note the "beautiful" yellow shirts that we were required to wear if we got off to record, write or film at any of the stops. Everybody growls about the shirts, but notice that they did not hamper the "bull" sessions in the car.

THE FOOD

WOW! The food on this excursion was tremendous to say the least. On Friday during the trip to Shelby we were treated to a boxed lunch consisting of turkey, dressing and the trimmings. When someone said a boxed lunch would be served, I was skeptical; until I started eating. Man, was it good! On Saturday a continental breakfast was offered in the dining car, or buffet car as it were, and then a full buffet spread for lunch. This food can only be described as fabulous. On
Friday afternoon one of the CSX people brought the two chefs to the media car, and it was then that we understood why the food was so good. Chef Janie introduced us to her partner, Chef Bobby. As it turns out, Bobby, an aging Filipino gentleman, had been a chef in both the Carter and Reagan White Houses. As you might imagine, this piqued the interest of us media types and Bobby stayed for an hour answering the 10,000 questions we bombarded him with. He had some stories to tell, believe you me. Here are a couple of pictures of the buffet car.

THE REASON
I don't want to leave you with the impression that this entire event was about me and my choo-choo ride. The Santa Train has attained legendary status, and with good reason. It delivers a lot of goodwill to the people of the mountains from our neighbors down in Tennessee. To see the smiles and the excitement and to get to meet new people is a grand event for me, and it's you, our listeners, that make it all possible. I am forever grateful.

Stay Tuned
Randy