BNSF hosts military families on its Holiday Express. Photo: courtesy of BNSF.
Last week, BNSF Railway held its annual Holiday Express, a series of one-and-a-half hour train trips honoring military members and their families. The Holiday Express visits parts of BNSF’s rail network using a specially configured passenger train, which includes special dining and viewing cars.
This year’s Holiday Express hosted a total of 2,100 passengers. Stops were made in Tulsa, Okla., Clovis and Albuquerque, N.M., Flagstaff, Ariz., and Barstow, Calif. While on board the Holiday Express, families enjoyed special holiday treats, received a commemorative holiday ornament and were visited by Santa.
“BNSF has played an important role in our nation’s defense for more than 160 years,” said Zak Andersen, BNSF vice president of corporate relations and BNSF Railway Foundation president. “Our people, equipment and track have been integral in helping to carry men and women in active service as well as countless tons of equipment and supplies across the country and to ports for deployment all over the world. The Holiday Express allows us to say thank you to military families at the beginning of the holiday season.”
The Holiday Express has hosted more than 20,000 military personnel and their families since its inaugural trip in 2008. BNSF donates to 12 different organizations that support troops and their families along the route every year, with this year’s donations totaling $50,000.