GRAVETTE — The Holiday Express train operated by the Kansas City Southern railroad is scheduled to make a stop in Gravette next Tuesday, Dec. 13. Citizens in Gravette and the surrounding area have been planning for several weeks for the visit. The train will stop in Centennial Park, at the intersection of Arkansas Highways 59 and 72, at 4 p.m.
Led by KCS' Southern Belle business train, the Holiday Express train includes the smiling tank car "Rudy"; a flatcar carrying Santa's sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread boxcar; a newly remodeled elves' workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose. Each car is dressed in lights.
Three cars of the festive six-car train will be open for tours, and visitors will be allowed to board the train, visit with Santa and his elves and see the inside of these three cars. Christmas carolers will be on hand to entertain the crowd. Hot cocoa will be served and food trucks will be set up offering other refreshments.
The Gravette Public Library will hold a "Polar Express" story time at 3 p.m., with hot cocoa and cookies served afterward until the library closes at 6 p.m. Downtown Gravette merchants have planned a special evening of after-hours shopping beginning at 6 p.m. Shops will be open until 9 p.m. The Bombshell Salon beauty shop is holding its grand opening that evening with refreshments and door prizes.
This is the 16th year for the Holiday Express train, and Gravette is one of 22 communities in seven states listed on this year's schedule. The Holiday Express is built on the tradition of the Santa Train which ran on a segment of the network bought by KCS in 1997. In 2000, a group of KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas some youngsters had and they committed to expanding the project. In 2001 volunteers transformed a retired freight train into the experience that communities throughout KCS' service territory enjoy today.
Community on 12/07/2016