BNSF Railway Wishes You and Your Family Happy Holidays and All The Best for 2008!

For BNSF, the holiday season officially began on November 29th for deserving young children who rode aboard the 17th annual BNSF Santa Claus Express holiday train. Over five days, approximately 1,500 children from local community organizations throughout Southern California took a ride on this special train and received gifts from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The train made its first appearance in the City of Commerce where over 250 smiling children and adults from the Mexican American Opportunities Foundation (MAOF) jumped aboard for a magical ride through the Alameda Corridor. MAOF is the largest childcare facility in the City of Commerce.

The Santa Claus Express made its next stop in the Harbor Area to pick up children from the Boys & Girls Club, Harbor Interfaith Services of San Pedro, YWCA, Comprehensive Child Development, Catholic Charities of Long Beach and Miller Children’s Hospital.

Rides also departed from San Bernardino, Duarte and Victorville, with children from Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, Scottish Rite, Easter Seals, Childhelp USA, United Way, and the City of Hope Hospital, among other organizations.

Onboard, the children decorated the train with personalized ornaments, sang carols and enjoyed refreshments and entertainment. To the children’s delight, the Clauses stopped to ask every child what they wanted for Christmas. Santa Claus took note of their wishes, and in the meantime, gave them a gift bag with a teddy bear, coloring book, crayons, ruler and pencil.

Richard Ebel, General Manager of BNSF’s Los Angeles Division explained, “Hearing those children singing ‘Jingle Bells’ and watching the smiles on their faces reminded me why this is such a special opportunity for BNSF to give back to the communities we serve, and why our employee volunteers enjoy it every year.”

















The BNSF holiday train was featured in the Daily Breeze and Long Beach Press-Telegram. To view a short movie clip or photos, click on the links below:


Daily Breeze video clip
Daily Breeze photo gallery
Press-Telegram audio slideshow