What’s good this weekend: Holiday TrainFest and Toy Drive

Join the gift-giving spirit this season and be sure to head on over to the Holiday TrainFest and Toy Drive at Los Angeles Union Station tomorrow, Saturday December 16. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than by brightening spirits and helping those in need.

So please help share holiday cheer at this free, family-friendly event that will take place tomorrow, Saturday December 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Track 14 at Los Angeles Union Station, located at 800 N. Alameda St. in Los Angeles. Event highlights include holiday refreshments, a visit from Santa Claus, vintage rail cars, and an 874,346-pound steam locomotive decked out for the holidays. Staff will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys in support of Toys for Tots and socks to assist the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Last year’s inaugural Holiday TrainFest drew families and train enthusiasts from across Southern California and more than 1,200 toys were collected during the four-hour event. This year’s event will continue to provide opportunities to brighten spirits and support those in need during the holidays.

 

Attendees will be able to:

• See the historic Santa Fe 3751 steam locomotive up close
• Tour vintage rail cars from the 1940s and 1950s decorated for the holidays
• Explore Amtrak and Metrolink train cars
• Enjoy holiday refreshments, including hot cocoa and cookies, and holiday music
• Meet local police and firefighters and see a vintage 1930s-era fire engine, and
• Visit with Santa Claus

 

The Holiday TrainFest and Toy Drive is presented by the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency and Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® in partnership with Metrolink, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, L.A. Rail, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Morlin Asset Management and Toys for Tots. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys to distribute as holiday gifts to less fortunate children in the community.

Participants can travel to the event by train from points throughout southern California, including Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino and the Antelope Valley using Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink service. Visit PacificSurfliner.com or MetrolinkTrains.com for additional information, including schedules and fares.

 

For more information about the Holiday TrainFest and Toy Drive at Los Angeles Union Station, visit PacificSurfliner.com/TrainFest.