Fort Hood Families Holiday Express to Make Memories

Holiday Express: Train ride a treat for military families

Temple Daily Telegram
Melany Cox
December 3, 2017

“It’s important, because we get a chance to show the military families how much we appreciate all the sacrifices they make for all of us.” Carl Ice, President and CEO of BNSF

Santa hands out Christmas ornaments to the Wagner family during the annual BNSF Holiday Express train ride. Melany Cox Telegram

For the past 10 years, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway has honored military families with the Holiday Express train trip, a free, festive train ride for families of servicemen and women. This year the train is making its way through Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. The tour included a stop in Central Texas.

On Wednesday afternoon nearly 350 members of families stationed at Fort Hood boarded the Holiday Express at the Santa Fe Depot in Temple for a round-trip ride complete with complimentary snacks, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.

“It’s important, because we get a chance to show the military families how much we appreciate all the sacrifices they make for all of us,” said Carl Ice, President and CEO of BNSF.

The Holiday Express features 15 restored vintage railcars, and is powered by two of BNSF’s newest locomotives. Passengers exclaimed in delight as they boarded the passenger cars, which were lavishly decorated with garland and lights.
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