Darryl Worley to Serve as Santa Train Celebrity Guest

KINGSPORT, Tenn., Sept. 21, 2016 -- Country music star Darryl Worley will be the celebrity guest on the Santa Train when it makes its 74^th journey, on Saturday, Nov. 19. He will accompany Santa and event sponsors CSX,  Dignity U Wear, Food City and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce on the 110-mile trek.

“I’m honored to accompany the Santa Train as the celebrity guest this year,” Worley said. “The opportunity to give back and to be a part of a 74-year-old holiday tradition is one that I couldn’t pass up, and I look forward to being a part of it.”

Worley, who has three No. 1 singles on the Billboard U.S. country chart during his career, has been on the country music scene since 2000. Worley has released six albums during his career and as well as 18 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. 2017 is a big year for Worley, as the singer is planning to release his first-ever gospel album.

“We are thrilled to have Darryl Worley join us on this year’s Santa Train,” said Tori Kaplan, assistant vice president, corporate social responsibility, CSX. “The support we receive each year from celebrity guests is humbling, and we know Darryl will add to the holiday spirit of the Santa Train.”

The Santa Train makes 14 stops in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee and delivers toys, food and winter clothing to hundreds of children and families along the way. Fans can use the hashtag #santatrain16 to follow the train online and engage in the Santa Train conversation on social media.

Photos and video of Darryl Worley are available now, and photos and video from this year’s Santa Train will be available Monday, Nov. 21. Email Morey Hill at [email protected] if you are interested in using the images.

About the Santa Train:
Now in its 74^th year, the Santa Train runs along a 110-mile route through Appalachia, making 14 stops in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee to distribute more than 15 tons of toys to Appalachian families. The Santa Train is sponsored by CSX, Dignity U Wear, Food City and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. Please visit http://www.beyondourrails.org/index.cfm/events/santa-train for more information. For updates about the #SantaTrain16, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About Darryl Worley:
In his 15-year career in country music, Darryl Worley has seen nearly 20 hit singles and three chart-topping hits, including “Awful, Beautiful Life” and “I Miss My Friend.” Following the tragic events of 9/11, Worley penned “Have You Forgotten,” which became the biggest hit of his career after spending seven weeks at No. 1. Worley has also spent much of his career supporting the U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and has made a tradition of visiting them each year. Outside of music, Worley gives back every opportunity he can. In 2002, Worley founded the Darryl Worley Foundation, to help serve the needs of the people of Hardin and McNairy counties in West Tennessee and the surrounding areas.

About CSX:
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX), and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

For more information, please contact:
For CSX: Morey Hill, MP&F PR, (615) 259-4000, [email protected]