DECATUR — DECATUR - The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express train will be bringing Santa to Decatur this year.

The train is scheduled to stop at 4 p.m., Dec. 10, and tours of the train will be free and open to the public.

The annual Decatur Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade will beheld on the same day at 6 p.m., chamber members decided at last week’s meeting.

Although Dec. 10 falls on a Monday and the Christmas parade has traditionally been held on a Friday evening, chamber members agreed it would be the best time for a parade.

The Holiday Express is a six-car train that brings Santa Claus and his elves to communities across thecountry. It is led by the KCS’ Southern Belle business train and includes “Rudy,” the smiling tank car; a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread boxcar; the elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable and a little red caboose, according to the KCS website www.kcsouthern.com.

Three of the six cars can be toured. Children can visitwith Santa Claus in the caboose, and then, after walking through two more cars filled with displays, children will receive a free gift bag, the website states.

The Holiday Express also makes charitable contributions to the local Salvation Army at each stop it makes to provide warm clothing and other necessities for children in need, the website states.

News, Pages 7 on 09/26/2012