The Railroad Train Engine Ornament History of The Santa Claus Express. Christmas Presents.
is about 4.25 inches long. These Western Christmas Ornaments are a very light weight ornament, made from resin that shows an early model of a steam engine. The Engine is black with silver and gold colored trim and decorated with a green wreath. The Railroad Train Engine Ornament hangs from a metal loop. Select to see a complete listing of our Christmas Decorations Ideas.
The Santa Claus Express is a generic name applied to a number of holiday railroad excursions throughout the United States. Often sponsored by railroad museums and incorporating appropriately decorated vintage locomotives and cars, the Santa Claus Express may offer scenic tours beginning in late November and continuing through December. By other schedules, the Express stops at towns and villages along the line, at which time professional or amateur performers aboard provide a Yuletide concert or show for citizens awaiting outside. The Santa Claus Express also is a vehicle for delivering toys and gifts to underprivileged children, an example of which can be found in Appalachia. Since the mid 1440s on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, officials of CSX Transportation have furnished a locomotive and cars so that the Santa Claus Express could wind its way from Pikeville, Kentucky, across Virginia, and into Kingsport, Tennessee. All along the tracks, children and families gather, many having camped overnight to secure strategic positions. When the train slows at each whistle stop, children run behind as Santa, who addresses everyone as “darlin’,” and his assistants, local businessmen, toss candy, small toys, and other gifts from the platform on the last car into eager hands. Local merchants, some of whom were once among those children chasing the train, donate the gifts, which become the only Christmas presents that many children in this region will receive each year. Select this link to view our Christmas Figurines.
It has been said that the giving of presents at Christmas time began when the three wise men gave their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the baby Jesus. Anciently and through the middle ages, gift giving was predominantly confined to the upper classes. Since the 18th century Christmas has become more commercial with the increase in and sophistication of, advertising campaigns. The development of the advertising industry has intensified the age old problem of gifts being too ostentatious and given for reasons other than true fellowship. Check out our selection of Unique Christmas Gifts.





