Houston Style Magazine readers, get ready—because the rails are rumbling with holiday cheer.

This Saturday, December 6, Union Pacific Railroad will bring a season of generosity to a celebratory crescendo as Railroad Santa trades his sleigh for steel wheels and leads a festive train ride through Houston. The grand finale marks the end of a tremendously successful year for the UPVETS Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter, Union Pacific’s national employee resource group representing military veterans and reservists.

And if you spot a shining red-white-and-blue locomotive rolling through downtown? That’s no ordinary engine. That’s Locomotive No. 1943 – The Spirit, Union Pacific’s powerful, patriotic tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces.

35,000 Toys. One Mission. A Houston Tradition.

This year, UPVETS volunteers collected an extraordinary 35,000 toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program, turning Houston’s offices, restaurants, stores, and neighborhoods into hubs of holiday giving.

For seven years, this local chapter has mobilized volunteers, recruited sponsors, and placed donation boxes across the region—each year outdoing the last. Their commitment reflects the heart of Union Pacific, where nearly 18% of employees are U.S. military veterans or reservists, many still actively serving.

Their message is simple: Community service never stops—and neither does the railroad.

Ride Along with Railroad Santa & the Marines

The celebration ride will feature coach and observation cars from Union Pacific’s iconic Heritage Fleet, as Marines in full dress uniform join Railroad Santa for a rolling salute to community service, volunteerism, and holiday joy.

Media—and a lucky few—may even hop aboard for the ride. Seats are extremely limited and first come, first served, adding a touch of exclusivity to one of Houston’s most heartwarming traditions.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Departure: 9:00 AM CST
Arrival: 10:00 AM CST (estimated)
Location: Amtrak Depot – Downtown Houston

Guests, spectators, and photographers are encouraged to arrive early to capture the moment the 1943 “Spirit” locomotive powers up and rolls out with Santa waving from the rails.

A Salute to Service — and to Houston

Union Pacific’s support of veteran employees isn’t symbolic—it’s structural. With military veterans making up nearly one-fifth of its workforce, UP ensures leadership opportunities, skills development, and strong community partnerships. UPVETS exemplifies that commitment by pairing service to the nation with service to neighbors.

Through the Toys for Tots drive, these veteran employees continue their proud tradition of showing up where their community needs them most.

Holiday Magic, Houston-Style

This celebration isn’t just a toy drive finale—it’s a uniquely Houston moment. Heritage railcars, Marines, Santa in overalls, and a patriotic locomotive sweeping across the city? That’s the kind of story only Houston writes.

As the toy-filled train rolls into downtown, it carries more than gifts. It carries gratitude, unity, and the steady reminder that when Houston gives, Houston gives big.