BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, and the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation will team up on Dec. 13 for the 26th run of their Holiday Train over the former Delaware & Hudson between Binghamton and Delanson, N.Y.
Since its inception, the Holiday Train partnership has collected hundreds of thousands of toys and brought holiday cheer to countless families across the Northeast, the groups said in a news release. Since 2022, Norfolk Southern has given the Toys for Tots Foundation nearly $500,000 in support of their mission.
This year’s version of the train will make five stops:
- East Binghamton Yard, 5 Holmes Place, Binghamton, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Bainbridge, N.Y., Walnut Avenue crossing, 11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
- Oneonta, N.Y., Gas Avenue crossing, 1:10 to 1:45 p.m
- Cobleskill, N.Y., fire station, 2:55 p.m to 3:25 p.m.
- Delanson fire station, 4 to 4:30 p.m.
“For over 75 years, Toys for Tots has worked to ensure every child experiences the magic of the holidays. Our collaboration with Norfolk Southern and Amtrak brings that mission to life on the rails, reaching families in ways that truly make a difference,” Patrick M. Lurenz, coordinator, Marine Corps, said in a statement.
“Railroads have always been part of holiday traditions, and this train is a symbol of community and generosity. We’re honored to continue this journey with Toys for Tots and Amtrak to spread joy across our network,” Kristin Wong, director of the NS Foundation & Community Impact, said in a statement.
— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
The TFT train last ran this route, with the same stops, in 2018, put on by NS and Bennett Levin, who furnished most of the equipment, although two Amtrak baggage cars were included. Consist was two NS diesels, E8 PRR painted 5809 and 5711, the two bags, and six private cars, the last three in Tuscan red PRR colors, including ex-PRR business car 120.
Amtrak’s participation here is a pleasant surprise. It has been Amtrak’s policy since the pandemic to run special trains only on regularly served routes. This immediately clobbered AAPRC special movements and put paid to Amtrak’s very successful self-operated Autumn Color specials. The last one in 2017 covered the. CSX former NYC West Shore route on the west side of the Hudson River. Earlier editions included the Pan Am Rys Hoosic Tunnel line and the NS former Lehigh Valley and NS Harrisburg lines. These trains were very successful and were staffed by Amtrak employee volunteers.
May we hope this foretells a reconsideration of “off-network” bans? If nothing else by this churlish policy Amtrak abdicated its rights to operate over any railway by effectively declining to exercise that unique benefit.
Carl Fowler