Santa will trade in his sleigh and eight tiny reindeer for vintage rail cars and an 874,346-pound steam locomotive decked out for the holidays at the first-ever Holiday TrainFest and Toy Drive at Los Angeles Union Station.
The free, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 17, 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. Staff will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys in support of Toys for Tots, and new socks to assist the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
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 rail equipment
- Enjoy holiday refreshments
- Meet local police and firefighters, 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 (Metro) and Toys for Tots. The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes the toys as holiday gifts to less fortunate children in the local community.
