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The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

Roy, 89 and Nora Owens, 88, have been married 69 years this August. After serving in World War II, Roy had always found Nora beautiful and asked her to marry him. They have lived in Elkhorn City, Kentucky, since the 1920s and Roy has spent his whole life on the railroad. Roy said it really bothers him that they're closing the railroad after 100 years, "I've grown up on this railroad, I've lived here all my life and they're taking away a part of my life."

A Passing Tradition: Annual Santa Train journeys through Appalachia

Rachael Le Goubin November 30, 2015

A Passing Tradition from Rachael Le Goubin on Vimeo.Before the sun has even risen on the frosty Saturday before Thanksgiving, families gather at the Shelby train station in Shelbiana, Ky., waiting for...

A crowd gathers around the CSX Santa Train in Fremont, Kentucky. The train takes 14 stops through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. Nov. 21, 2015. 

Santa Train: A journey of joy in Appalachian coal towns

Karl Schneider November 23, 2015

Editor's note: Members of Kent State’s photojournalism program drove down to Kentucky to follow the Santa Train and speak with the families living along the tracks.With the sun still hiding deep below...