Shortly after departing a Pike County rail yard around 6 a.m., the CSX Santa Train rolled into its first stop in Marrowbone, Kentucky. Despite the pouring rain, scores of people dressed in pajamas and festive attire crowded the railroad track to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus as he tossed toys to children sitting on their parents' shoulders.

The annual event is a collaboration between CSX, Appalachian Power, Food City and Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. A group of businessmen in Kingsport, Tennessee, created it in 1943 as a way to give back to historically low-income coal communities along the railroad track.

"They helped our economy, and so we wanted to give back to them, to make sure they were taken care of as well," said Desteny Clemons, a program director for Kingsport Chamber of Comm

See Full Page