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Annual Santa Train Pulled Off The Tracks

Keokuk Junction Railway Company
The Santa Train

Pioneer Railcorp's sale to a private equity firm apparently means the annual Santa Train won't be rolling into rural Peoria and Fulton County towns anymore.

For the past 10 years, Keokuk Junction Railway Company's annual Santa Train visited Glasford, Canton, Mapleton, Breeds, Cuba, Smithfield, and other small towns along the railway tracks each December, bringing Santa's holiday caboose along every year. 

Glasford Village Clerk Tammy Jo Stetler said the new owners of the railway informed village leaders they won't be continuing the annual holiday event. 

Pioneer Railcorp was bought out this summer. 

Tim was the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio. He left the station in 2025.