KCS holiday train program pumps funds into Salvation Army

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 12/1/2021 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
For the second straight year, the Class I canceled its Holiday Express due to the pandemic. Photo – KCS

Kansas City Southern so far has raised about $120,000 for The Salvation Army through its Holiday Express program.

In September, the Class I announced plans to celebrate the 21st anniversary of its Holiday Express train — which again will not operate this year due to the pandemic — with a fundraiser. Raised funds will benefit The Salvation Army in 21 communities located in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

The railroad now is issuing a challenge grant to raise even more funds.

"I am proud to announce that KCS will donate $2 for every $1 raised by the Holiday Express, up to an additional $100,000 between Nov. 30 and Dec. 10," said KCS President and CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer in a press release.

For more than 20 years, the charitable component of the Holiday Express program has raised over $2.6 million. 


The holiday train typically stops in 20 or more communities in five or six states between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Holiday Express was also canceled last year because of the pandemic.