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 Decem...