The CSX Santa Train Will Feature Locomotives 250 and 2026
Published: November 10, 2026
By: Adam Burns
The CSX Santa Train page says this year’s train will feature locomotives No. 250 and No. 2026 in its consist. The two units mark America’s 250th anniversary. The page describes patriotic designs that use the Stars and Stripes and the American bald eagle, and says the locomotives honor the nation’s history and the role railroads have played in building America.
The 84th running is November 21, 2026. WCYB reported that CSX and the North Pole Transportation Authority announced the date on October 6. The train follows the path used through Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee since 1943. That account calls it a 110-mile journey from Shelbiana, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee, and says the train will deliver more than 15,000 toys, gifts, and winter accessories.
CSX's pair of America250 locomotives, CM44AH's #250 and #2026, lead the company business train and will pull this year's Santa Train. CSX photo.
Locomotives 250 and 2026
On June 8, 2026, CSX unveiled No. 250 and No. 2026. Both are modernized, high-horsepower CM44AH units, painted at the Waycross, Georgia, facility and designed for efficient, reliable mainline service. The June 8 release gives No. 250 a Stars and Stripes theme for the anniversary year. It gives No. 2026 the American bald eagle and the phrase “United We Stand.” The June unveiling has its own page, CSX Unveils Two Patriotic America250 Heritage Locomotives.
On July 2, 2026, No. 250 and No. 2026 led a commemorative train in Washington, D.C. CSX said the locomotives were built in the United States and painted by the company’s skilled craftsmen in Waycross, Georgia. Steve Angel, president and chief executive officer, said: “They are going into regular service, moving the steel, grain, coal, and consumer goods that keep America’s economy moving.”
Stops on November 21
The October 6 account names Shelbiana, Kentucky, as the start of the 110-mile journey. The timed list begins at Shelby at 6 a.m. Waycross at 2:20 p.m. is a Virginia stop. The shop that painted No. 250 and No. 2026 is in Waycross, Georgia.
Kentucky
- Shelby, 6 a.m.
- Marrowbone, 6:20 a.m.
- Elkhorn City, 7:05 a.m.
Virginia
- Tom’s Bottom, 7:45 a.m.
- Haysi, 8:07 a.m.
- Clinchco, 8:40 a.m.
- Fremont, 9:08 a.m.
- Dante, 10:08 a.m.
- St. Paul, 10:53 a.m.
- Dungannon, 12:03 p.m.
- Ft. Blackmore, 12:48 p.m.
- Kermit, 1:48 p.m.
- Waycross, 2:20 p.m.
Tennessee
- Kingsport, 2:58 p.m.
“As we look ahead to a new year, we’re reminded that the CSX Santa Train is about so much more than a journey along the tracks. It’s about bringing people together, creating moments of joy and carrying traditions forward from one generation to the next,” said Tom Livingston, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at CSX. “The warmth of the communities that welcome the CSX Santa Train and the support from people across the country remind us why this tradition has endured for generations.”
“The Santa Train celebrates connection, creates lasting memories and continues a cherished tradition that together makes a lasting impact on the region,” said the train’s “official” Santa Claus. “In my book, the Christmas season kicks off with the CSX Santa Train and I’m eager to get on board to continue this Appalachian tradition.”
Related reading on American-Rails.com
- CSX Unveils Two Patriotic America250 Heritage Locomotives
- CSX Transportation (Railroad): Map, History, Logo
- The CSX "Santa Train": A Heartwarming Tradition
- Rail News
Sources
- CSX Santa Train, Facebook post 1579711444201004, facebook.com/santatrain/posts/1579711444201004, opened November 10, 2026. The post says this year the CSX Santa Train will feature two special locomotives in its consist, No. 250 and No. 2026, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. It describes patriotic designs with the Stars and Stripes and the American bald eagle, and says the locomotives honor the nation’s history and the important role railroads have played in building America.
- CSX, “CSX Unveils Commemorative Locomotives Marking America’s 250th Anniversary,” Jacksonville, June 8, 2026, csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/media/press-releases/csx-unveils-commemorative-locomotives-marking-americas-250th-anniversary/. Locomotives 250 and 2026 were painted at the Waycross, Georgia, facility. Both are modernized, high-horsepower CM44AH units designed for efficient, reliable mainline service. Unit 250 uses a Stars and Stripes theme for the anniversary year. Unit 2026 uses the American bald eagle and the phrase “United We Stand.”
- CSX, “CSX Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with Commemorative Train Ride in Washington, D.C.,” July 2, 2026, csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/csx-celebrates-americas-250th-anniversary-with-commemorative-train-ride-in-washington-dc/. The train was led by No. 250 and No. 2026. CSX said they were built in the United States and painted by the company’s craftsmen in Waycross, Georgia. Steve Angel, president and chief executive officer: “They are going into regular service, moving the steel, grain, coal, and consumer goods that keep America’s economy moving.”
- WCYB, “CSX Santa Train to return to Appalachia on November 21,” October 6, 2026, 11:56 a.m., updated 4:19 p.m., wcyb.com/news/local/santa-train-to-return-to-appalachia-on-november-21. The station attributes the announcement to CSX and the North Pole Transportation Authority. The 84th running is November 21. The path through Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee dates from 1943. The journey is 110 miles from Shelbiana, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee, with more than 15,000 toys, gifts, and winter accessories. Tom Livingston, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at CSX, and the train’s “official” Santa Claus are quoted in full above. Timed stops: Kentucky, Shelby 6 a.m., Marrowbone 6:20 a.m., Elkhorn City 7:05 a.m. Virginia, Tom’s Bottom 7:45 a.m., Haysi 8:07 a.m., Clinchco 8:40 a.m., Fremont 9:08 a.m., Dante 10:08 a.m., St. Paul 10:53 a.m., Dungannon 12:03 p.m., Ft. Blackmore 12:48 p.m., Kermit 1:48 p.m., Waycross 2:20 p.m. Tennessee, Kingsport 2:58 p.m.
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