Remembering Tillie Caileff

Every year just before Christmas, Kansas City Southern runs its Holiday Express train, which in 2019 distributed more than $170,000 to The Salvation Army at 20 stops along its five-state route, providing warm clothing and other necessities for children in need. The train is prepared and staffed by volunteers. On April 13, KCS lost one them with the passing of volunteer Tillie Caileff of Shreveport, La.

While not an employee, Tillie “was one of the company’s greatest ambassadors,” KCS said in a tribute. She and her husband Warren founded the Kansas City Southern Historical Society (KCSHS) 39 years ago. Warren’s father had been a lifelong KCS employee.

Described by KCS President and CEO and Railway Age 2020 Railroader of the Year Pat Ottensmeyer as “one of the sweetest, most generous human beings you would ever meet, and an enormous railroad enthusiast,” Tillie was the only sister to eight brothers and a career educator in Louisiana. “She was a strong and influential leader and organizer of the KCSHS membership and its activities. Among those activities was participation in the KCS Holiday Express. From its founding in 2001, Tillie was an integral part of the creation and execution of the KCS Holiday Express project, participating in its full schedule for 18 consecutive years. She helped design and create pieces of the train’s interior décor and kept its displays fresh each year. She collected donations from KCSHS members for contributions to the Salvation Army, and helped recruit and organize the train’s volunteer elves. Many will remember her as the first elf inside Santa’s caboose, greeting each visitor with a warm smile. For those most closely involved, her loving fingerprints can be seen on nearly every aspect of the KCS Holiday Express project.” 

In mid-2019, Tillie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, preventing her from making the 2019 run. The family had planned to spread her ashes on Rich Mountain, near the railroad she loved so much. KCS is making plans to honor her as part of the 2020 KCS Holiday Express. She will be sorely missed by her KCS family. Requiescet in pace.