UP
A seven-person crew led by UP Bridge Foreperson Keegan Smutz and Manager-Bridge Maintenance Travis Cook safely removed and hauled a nearly 40-foot, 5,500-pound blue spruce donated by Stephen and CJ Carr of La Vista, Neb., to downtown Omaha, UP reported Dec. 1. The city’s “official Christmas Tree,” they positioned it earlier this month inside the Durham Museum for the 50th annual “Christmas at Union Station” celebration.
“Union Pacific crews have been delivering holiday magic to the Durham Museum for decades,” according to UP. “The railroad gifted the former Union Station to the city of Omaha in 1973, after Amtrak was created by an act of Congress and the site’s passenger operations ended.”
Housed in the station, the Durham Museum opened its doors in 1975 and revived a 1930s city tradition—raising a live Christmas tree in the great hall to celebrate the holiday season. The museum’s 2025 “Christmas at Union Station” event is presented by FNBO and sponsored by UP, Conagra Brands Foundation, OPPD, Mangelsen’s, and Douglas County, Neb.
“This is my 11th tree,” Keegan Smutz said. “I’m proud that we get to be a part of something that honors Omaha’s history.”
“We take pride in making it a safe, successful day at the Durham,” Travis Cook added. “It’s a long-standing tradition. Our crews look forward to it every year.”
NS
NS, Amtrak, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation will run their 26th Holiday Train on Dec. 13 in New York State. With stops in Binghamton, Bainbridge, Oneonta, Cobleskill, and Delanson, the event will again deliver toys and bring holiday cheer to local communities, according to the Class I railroad, which since 2022 has donated nearly $500,000 to the Foundation, supporting its mission to provide “joy, comfort, and hope to children in need across the nation through the gift of a new toy or book at Christmastime.”
The event starts at 9 a.m. at East Binghamton Yard (5 Holmes Place, Binghamton) with free donuts, hot chocolate, kids’ activities, music, and giveaways before the train departs for Bainbridge, its second stop (see full schedule above).
“For over 75 years, Toys for Tots has worked to ensure every child experiences the magic of the holidays,” Marine Corps Coordinator Patrick M. Lurenz said. “Our collaboration with Norfolk Southern and Amtrak brings that mission to life on the rails, reaching families in ways that truly make a difference.”
“Railroads have always been part of holiday traditions, and this train is a symbol of community and generosity,” noted Kristin Wong, Director of the NS Foundation & Community Impact, NS. “We’re honored to continue this journey with Toys for Tots and Amtrak to spread joy across our network.”
“We are proud to continue our annual tradition of celebrating the holidays with Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and Norfolk Southern in the Capital Region with Operation Toy Train,” added Bruno Maestri, Amtrak Special Assistant to the President. “Combining the magic of trains, the festivities of the winter holidays, and the joy we can bring to children is one of the highlights of our year.”
Separately, NS recently rolled out a new collection of holiday merchandise.
G&W
“The magic of Christmas came to life in downtown Trois-Rivières, Quebec, with the return of the illuminated Holiday Train, presented by Genesee & Wyoming Inc.‘s Quebec-Gatineau Railway,” according to a recent LinkedIn post by commercial photographer and licensed drone pilot Kevin Burkholder, which G&W reposted. “A true highlight of the season, the train’s arrival at the Trois-Rivières Port Park officially launches the holidays in a warm, festive, and welcoming atmosphere where young and old alike can experience a moment of wonder. The holiday train consists of QGRY GP38-2 3537 and caboose 434524.”
QGRY celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023. The railroad operates along 358 track miles that it either owns, leases, or has tracks rights over, and interchanges with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (at Montreal, Quebec) and CN (at Joliette, Shawinigan, and Quebec City in Quebec).
Meanwhile, the CPKC Holiday Train is touring Canada and the U.S. through Dec. 21, presenting musical performances and raising money, food, and awareness to support food banks across its network, and CSX hosted the 83rd running of its Santa Train on Nov. 22, delivering toys, gifts, and winter essentials to 13 communities in Appalachia.
