A Keokuk Junction Railway Santa Train Memoir: 2008-2017 (Updated 2X)
Santa Claus' next visit to Mapleton, Glasford, Breeds, Canton, Cuba and Smithfield is Saturday, December 9, 2017. The Man In Red will arrive by train because that is way cooler and more reliable (lack of snow) than by sleigh.
Since 2008, our visitor from the North Pole has been a partner with Peoria, Illinois-based shortline holding company Pioneer Railcorp, bringing joy, treats and promises of a great holiday season for area children fortunate enough to live along or near the tracks of subsidiary Keokuk Junction Railway (KJRY). Rumor has it that he may have been employed by Pioneer (as a cover) from its founding before retiring some years ago.
This year's Santa Train will be the tenth trip for Santa along the KJRY. So I thought I'd share memories of the first nine. I will add the tenth after the event sometime Saturday evening.
I shot only brief video of the Keokuk Junction Railway's first Santa Train. It is shown approaching Glasford on December 13, 2008.
The second time, December 5, 2009, I shot more of the trip, ending just before its second stop in Canton.
The third Santa Train included F-9B 1761 for the first time. This unit entered service in March 2010 and was an attraction for railfans far and wide when it joined Santa for the first time on December 4, 2010.
Public participation soared for the fourth year on December 10, 2011 when the KJRY borrowed a bi-level coach from the Iowa Northern Railway for rides. It was the first time the general public could travel portions of this former Toledo, Peoria & Western line since Nickel Plate 765 steamed through here in May 1980. Tickets were sold for three segments: Mapleton-to-Glasford, Glasford-to-Breeds and Breeds-to-Rawalts. Proceeds went to the Salvation Army. I shot this train at several locations between Kolbe and Rawalts that day. Due to limited space at some locations for passengers to board or de-train, the F-9B was left out. Also of note, FP-9's 1752 and 1750 were re-lettered KEOKUK JUNCTION RAILWAY.
For the fifth year, December 8, 2012, I shot much more video, starting at the Kolbe depot just prior to departure. An Iowa Northern Railway bi-level coach was borrowed again for rides from Mapleton to Glasford, Glasford to Breeds and Breeds to Rawalts. I had plans later that afternoon, so I bid adieu at Canton. With the elimination of the east side Canton stop, Santa's journey had been extended to Smithfield.
The sixth KJRY Santa Train reverted to its 2008-2009 appearance as the Iowa Northern bi-level couldn't be secured, and F-9B 1761 was unavailable. The weather was bitterly cold, so I bid adieu at Glasford.
The seventh Santa Train marked the return of the classic A-B-A F-unit lashup but more importantly, a matching set! F-9B 1761 had been repainted in late-November to match the cab units' black-and-gold livery. On this date, December 6, 2014, I followed the train to each stop for the first time since 2008. The good folks in Smithfield go all out to celebrate the arrival of The Man in Red. Cookies and hot chocolate are served at the village hall.
The Keokuk Junction Railway ran its eighth Santa Train on December 5, 2015, and like the year before, I captured its journey from beginning to end.
The ninth trip took place December 3, 2016.
The tenth trip took place December 9, 2017. It was the fourth in a row with with the A-B-A F-unit lashup and caboose PREX 3. Although equipment was the same, I created some variation by shooting from different vantage points at Glasford and west of Cuba.
- David P. Jordan
Wow you've been at it a while. Is any one of them a particular favorite? I imagine you can't really top the passenger car one or the one before The B got painted. I wish they would do another passenger car one and give train rides. I wonder how KJ got into this to begin with? Was the idea from the company itself or did the history that TP&W did something like this back in the 1960's an inspiration. No idea how long TP&W did it other than I know 1965 they did but i heard they may have done it a few years. I'm not sure where to find more about that unless I'd have to contact the company itself. I'm not sure if they'd disclose anything. I also haven't the foggiest of idea how my Dad got the gig of playing the Santa in 1965. That part will probably never know as anyone involved are probably deceased now.
ReplyDeleteThose most recent which I followed to each stop (2014, 2015 and 2016) are probably my favorites, though I did like seeing the IANR bi-level in 2011 and 2012.
DeletePioneer Railcorp shortlines Decatur Junction Railway and Pioneer Industrial Railway did Santa Trains in the past. KJRY's proximity to Pioneer's Peoria HQ makes it a no-brainer for Santa Trains.
Doesn't NS or some railroad do one as well in Decatur ( not DJR either another one) or has in the past?
ReplyDeleteNext weekend, Norfolk Southern will be running Santa Trains for its employees and their families. Trains using equipment borrowed from the Monticello Railway Museum make several trips between Decatur and Illiopolis both Saturday and Sunday. They've done this for at least several years now. I shot video of it in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
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