KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN'S 2003 SANTA TRAIN in Ashdown, Arkansas, Thursday December 11, 2003.  I thought it was fantastic with the brightly lit cars, Christmas music, Santa and the elves, several model railroad layouts, and really friendly crew and helpers. KCS made a contribution to the Salvation Army at all stops of the Santa Train, which was pulled by the famous KCS F-units and business train. It arrived from the north at exactly 5 p.m.  I highly recommend it to you and your family, especially if you have small children. They won't forget it. (Thanks to Silverio Martinez, a retired KCS employee, for reminding me of it's arrival)




It came in from the north at exactly 5 p.m. It parked on the main line until 11 p.m. Downtown Ashdown, Arkansas is to the right.


View looking south.


The 6-car Santa Train was behind the KCS business cars.








The lighted cars as they went by plus closeups of the red caboose. Santa was in this caboose.


View of the long line. Santa at first came out to invite everyone inside.


The reindeer and sleigh car.


The KCS 'engine'






Inside the caboose with Santa. NOTE the upper left photo of the caboose shows a bright star/planet just above the Christmas Tree painted on the side of the caboose!




The new car had model train layouts.




A quick tour through the train with lots of 'elves' to help.


A final farwell to the 2003 KCS Santa Train at Ashdown, Arkansas. I then drove the 3 hours back to North Little Rock.