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BNSF News

Holiday Cheer Rolls Through Southern California Aboard the BNSF Santa Claus Express

2008-12-11

Santa Claus and his merry helpers rode the rails and distributed gifts to hundreds of deserving children aboard the 18th annual BNSF Santa Claus Express train as it traveled through Southern California Dec. 4-8.

Children were selected for the free rides by the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, Starlight Foundation, Scottish Rite, YWCA of Wilmington, Harbor Interfaith of San Pedro, Comprehensive Child Development Center, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation and the City of Hope Hospital, among other organizations.

BNSF employee volunteers hosted the children and helped Santa Claus deliver gifts and refreshments during each of the trips.

"Watching the smiles on the children’s faces reminded me what the holiday season is really about," said Lena Kent, regional director, Public Affairs. "This long-standing event is such a special opportunity for BNSF to give back to the many communities we serve, and our employee-volunteers enjoy it every year."

About 1,000 invited children and adults rode the special BNSF train, which consisted of two locomotives and five passenger cars, as it traveled through the Southern California region. The Santa Claus Express departing initially from BNSF’s Commerce Diesel Facility in Commerce, Calif. Other departure points were Banning’s Landing Community Center in Wilmington, Calif.; the old Santa Fe depot in San Bernardino and City of Hope Hospital in Duarte. The final trip left from the Amtrak platform in Victorville.

Photos courtesy of Peter Ringsmuth of Newslink.

BNSF Headquarters

BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com

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