JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The CSX Santa Train will not run in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a statement released Thursday by McNeely, Pigot and Fox Communications representing CSX, the traditional Santa Train will not make its 78th trip through Appalachia this year. Instead gifts will be distributed at a drive-through event at Food City locations along the Santa Train route on Nov. 21. A schedule for the distribution and locations of the stores taking part in the event has not yet been released.

According to the statement, concerns over the ongoing and escalating COVID-19 pandemic is the reasoning for the change.

“The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, attendees and the community is always our top priority when we are planning the Santa Train. We decided it was in the best interests of all parties to rethink this year’s event amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bryan Tucker,
vice president of Corporate Communications at CSX. “We worked closely with our partners and are pleased to be able to provide a safe alternative to the traditional Santa Train that will bring joy and lift spirits during this challenging time.”

The Santa Train is sponsored by CSX, Food City, Appalachian Power, Soles4Souls and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.

The Santa Train made its 77th trip last fall. The train begins at Shelby Yard in Shelbiana, and travels south through Southwest Virginia en route to Kingsport, Tennessee. Gifts are thrown and distributed from the train at more than a dozen stops along the route in the event’s traditional form.

Neither the railroad, nor the other partners in the operation of the Santa Train have indicated whether organizers will attempt to put the Santa Train back on the rails in 2021.

Mountain Top News has reached out to CSX and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce for further comment.