ROCKLAND — The current issue of Kiwanis Magazine features a story about the Jingle Bell EXPRESS, a fundraiser and community builder for the Kiwanis Club of Rockland, in which Maine Eastern Railroad is highlighted as the host train.

Published bimonthly, the periodical is the official magazine of Kiwanis International, with a circulation of 175,000 in the United States and Canada. Thousands of copies of the magazine also are sent to Kiwanis clubs in 80 countries outside of North America.

The six-page article is filled with color photographs of the Christmas-themed event, which draws more than 1,200 riders who board the train for a trip to Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole, along with getting a visit with the big, jolly guy in red.

Traveling from Kiwanis International headquarters in Indianapolis, Kiwanis managing editor Kasey Jackson was in Maine for the 2010 event. She spent two days and nights in Rockland riding the train, conducting interviews and taking photographs.

The result of her visit is a narrative of the holiday-themed festivities, where Maine Eastern Railroad provides its restored, decorated, vintage railroad equipment and professional crew; while the local Kiwanis Club provides upward of 100 volunteers, including more than 50 costumed elves who perform during the two-night show.

Maine Eastern has been operating the train for this event for seven years. The entire trip takes less than an hour, but the memories last a lifetime.

Departing from the historic, brick train station in downtown Rockland, Maine Eastern crews move the train down the tracks to Santa’s Workshop, where Santa boards for a visit with the legions of believers and their parents.

The return trip is just as magical, as Kiwanis volunteers lead the group in song before disembarking to find more elves handing out cookies and hot cocoa.

For more information, visit maineeasternrailroad.com or rocklandkiwanis.org.

¦ TRAVELING FROM Kiwanis International headquarters in Indianapolis, Kiwanis managing editor Kasey Jackson was in Maine for the 2010 event. She spent two days and nights in Rockland riding the train, conducting interviews and taking photographs.