I'm a CSX customer and have worked the Santa Train three times the past 11 years.
In addition to CSX employees and customers, Food City and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce each have groups on the train.
Each group is assigned a business car where they will spend the day with the exception of those times they are either on the rear of the train with Santa Claus or walking through the crowd at a stop distributing gift bags or wrapping paper. Media is assigned their own business car as is the country guest star and their entourage. There is also a dining car set up to distribute lunches to the Santa Train workers although you don't eat in the diner. Lunches are taken back to your assigned car and eaten there.
All participants on the train receive name tags that identify the car you are assigned to as well as the locations and times you will either work the rear of the train or on the ground.
CSX employees and customers are normally assigned the Greenbriar; a lounge car. At least that's been my experience the three times I've worked the train.
To borrow an old phrase, working the Santa Train is one of the most fun things you can do with your clothes on. It's a VERY long day but; even Scrooge would be in the Christmas spirit by the time he arrived in Kingsport.
Curt
