1998-Event History

• Very First Christmas Train.

Description of the Day:

The concept of a gift train from the U.S.A. to Tecate, México evolved from a fateful Thanksgiving in 1997 (see Beginnings). The first Christmas Train was originally scheduled to run on Sunday January 4th, 1998, however after the contact was made with the City of Tecate and its social services department, it was decided to reschedule the trip to Saturday January 10, 1998. This would give the officials of the City of Tecate more time to notify the children of the train's arrival.

Donors and volunteers worked around the clock to prepare 2,300 gift bags. Each bag consisted of candy canes, chocolate kisses, pencils, color markers, book markers, a comic book, and a stuffed animal. Additionally, Specialty Produce of San Diego donated 3,000 oranges which were given out to each child that came to the train. There were blankets donated by the Marriot Hotel and additional blankets were purchased with the last of the donations in the special Christmas Train account.

At 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 10th, all the gifts and volunteers were loaded for the trip by highway to Campo, California; home of the San Diego Railroad Museum. At 9:30 a.m. the train was packed, the whistle was blown by the San Diego & Imperial Valley Railway's engineer and the historic railway cars of the Museum slowly conveyed us to Tecate.

The train smoothly traversed the rails, winding through San Diego County's rugged back country, finally crossing into México through the International Tunnel. At this point, our "Three Kings" changed into their costumes, which were on loan to us from the San Diego State University Theater Department. Just outside of Tecate, the train came to a stop to remove some rocks that had fallen onto the tracks, we then continued on our way with the train horn blowing. Little did we know that the horn could be heard for miles, all the way to Tecate and it was announcing our arrival.

At the first road crossing in Tecate, the City police stopped all street cross traffic so that the train could pass and continue its seasonal journey without delay. Again the train horn blew, announcing nearing approach to our destination. Children along the streets were waving at those on board. Upon rounding the last curve into town and to our astonishment, a sea of children was revealed to us. There were thousands, all standing in line to greet the train. The mind can not begin to comprehend the emotion of so many children awaiting a gift.

As the train slowly pulled to it's resting spot, the entertainers on board quickly set up their band equipment to play for the children. The remainder of the volunteers prepared for the handing out of the gifts. At 11:30 a.m. we were ready to begin. The first mother in line suddenly raised her child to one of the Three Kings at the observation deck at of the train so he could kiss her. That is how the event started and for three and one half hours children boarded the train and received a gift bag from one of the Three Kings. After the child received the gift bag they were given an orange before running off to examine their booty and play. All told, over 3,500 people greeted the train and 2,300 gifts were given out that first Christmas Train morning. Yes! We did have enough gifts for all the children. Towards the end, we handed out blankets to those who needed them.

It was a trip to celebrate the Day of the Three Kings and the children. It had been a long, cold, damp day, but The Christmas Train warmed many hearts, including our own. No one enjoyed the day more than the Three Kings. The look of joy and excitement on the faces of the children as they each received a gift bag is something that will stay with us for many years to come.

This wonderful trip could not have happened without the help and support of all the donors, volunteers and the City of Tecate, who all have a special place in their hearts for children. It was an enormous task, one which could not have been done without the grass roots effort of the volunteers.