Watco Christmas Express Returns

The Watco Christmas Express made a triumphant return this year. On December 6, the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) hosted nearly 300 students and teachers from Pittsburg schools. First-grade students from five elementary schools, as well as the special education class from Pittsburg High School, boarded the SKOL passenger cars and rode the train for a half-hour, out and back.

On the ride, the students were visited by Santa and two of his elves while Watco team members and volunteers from the Heart of the Heartland Train Club passed out cookies and punched their tickets. Each student was given a gold sleigh bell, inspired by The Polar Express, as they departed the train.

The Christmas Express is about more than spreading the holiday cheer to these students. Prior to the ride, Watco team members who are also Operation Lifesaver volunteers visited each school to educate the kids about rail safety before passing out their tickets.

This is the first year since 2019 that the Watco Christmas Express has run at full capacity due to COVID restrictions. The team is excited to bring this experience back to the Pittsburg community.