Greenville & Western Railway Company, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Carolina Railway Service Corporation, will hold the 14th Annual “Santa Express” on Saturday, December 12.
Following Santa’s arrival at each stop, boys and girls will have an opportunity to step on board Santa’s caboose and tell Old Saint Nick what they want for Christmas. Each child will receive a sweet treat and Santa will draw tickets at every stop for special gifts from his magic gift bag.
Santa’s 2020 schedule will be (Arrival – Departure):
Honea Path Hamby Road 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Belton O’Neal Street 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Cheddar Cheddar Road 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Williamston Williams Street 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Pelzer Lyman Street (old depot site) 4:45 PM – 7:15 PM *
Santa plans to stay until the last person comes through the caboose to see him in Pelzer.
The Greenville & Western Railway is again partnering with the Faith Food Bank of Williamston and the Belton Interfaith Ministerial Association to collect food items.
Greenville & Western encourages those who attend this year’s Santa Express event to bring a donation of one or more non-perishable food items to the train.
Greenville & Western, BIMA and FFB volunteers will be staffing the Aiken Railway caboose (the caboose directly behind the locomotives) to accept donations and thank you for your generous support of both organizations’ food ministry. Donations are not mandatory for participation in the event.
Support local foodbanks while visiting Santa Express
The Greenville & Western Railway Company is partnering with the Belton Interfaith Ministerial Association (BIMA) and the Faith Food Bank Williamston (FFB)to collect food for those in the community who may presently find themselves in a time of real need. Greenville & Western encourages those who attend this year’s event to bring a donation of one or more non-perishable food items to the train. Greenville & Western, BIMA and PFB volunteers will be staffing the Aiken Railway caboose (the caboose directly behind the locomotives) to accept your donations and thank you in advance for your generous support of both organizations’ food ministry.
In response to enthusiastic community support following the First Annual Santa Express in 2007, Greenville & Western partnered in 2008 with the Greenville Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc. (Greenville Chapter NRHS), a non-profit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code, to establish an account for the exclusive purpose of providing a way for the public to support the “Santa Express” each year. Interested parties may make tax-deductible contributions to help fund this and all future “Santa Express” trains at any Bank of Travelers Rest location.
Greenville Chapter NRHS manages contributions made to the account on a “reimbursement basis” equal to either: 1) the amount available in the account if Greenville & Western receipts exceed that amount, or 2) an amount equal to Greenville & Western receipts (with the balance retained for the following year’s train) if the account balance is greater than Greenville & Western’s receipts.
There are two convenient ways to make a tax-deductible contribution to allow a greater number of gifts and giveaways to be purchased each year for the “Santa Express”:
• If you only require your canceled check as your receipt, you may make a deposit at any Bank of Travelers Rest branch. Your check should be made payable to: Greenville Chapter NRHS DBA Santa Train Account
• If you require a receipt for your contribution, mail your check (payable as above) to: Greenville Chapter NRHS, 2123 Old Spartanburg Road, Suite 129, Greer, SC 29650-2704
Officials with the Greenville & Western Railway thank all those who have pledged their support toward this worthwhile community event and looks forward to another successful “Santa Express”. “Your continued support is appreciated,” a spokesperson said.
For continuing updates on the further growth and development of Greenville & Western Railway Company, LLC, pay a routine visit to the Railroads page on their website.
Western Carolina Railway Service Corporation is a privately held South Carolina corporation organized in 2003 for the purpose of preserving, restoring, and revitalizing rail service in both South and North Carolina. The Corporation is committed to providing freight and transit rail services to the Carolinas through the next century and beyond. To learn more about the services offered by the Corporation through its subsidiaries, please visit wcrscorp.com.
