ALBANY, N.Y. — Amtrak will not operate the annual Toys for Tots Train in upstate New York this year, area media outlets have reported.
The passenger railroad cited its policy toward chartered trains, announced in March. [See “Amtrak to stop operating special trains, charter moves,” Trains News Wire, March 28, 2018].
The train, supporting U.S. Marine Corps charity efforts, has operated for 19 years, carrying everything from toys to warm blankets and clothing for those in need. It has served more than 150,000 children, according to its organizers.
“Consistent with Amtrak’s mandate to provide efficient, safe and effective intercity passenger rail transportation, Amtrak has established a new policy for the operation of charter trains,” the company said in a statement issued Friday. “Amtrak’s objective is to operate its core, scheduled train service safely, on time and efficiently, and must therefore decline to operate this charter. Amtrak will continue to proudly support the Toys for Tots program through the collection of toys at participating stations.”
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Albert Roman, Jr., the Toys for Tots coordinator for the Capital Region, told the Albany Times-Union on Friday that he was “shocked” to receive an email from Amtrak with the bad news. His organization has already collected tractor-trailers full of donations and is not sure how it will deliver them now. Donations in the past have come from Marines, police, firefighters, FBI agents, Amtrak employees and others.
“It’s going to hurt us in many ways — logistically, financially. That train was where we tell our story. It’s about the kids, the delivery, the community coming together … [Amtrak] just left us on the sidelines,” Roman, Jr. said. While he said the decision has to potential to “cripple” the Toys for Tots effort, he said the organization will find a solution: “We’re not going to let our community down.”
The national passenger carrier announced its intention not to operate last year’s iteration of the holiday special, but it was saved by last minute intervention from U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.). In recent years, the train has operated between Albany, Oneonta and Binghamton over the former Delaware & Hudson Railroad, now part of Canadian Pacific, as well as from Albany north to Plattsburgh and Rouses Point over the ex-D&H route used by Amtrak’s daily New York-Montreal Adirondack.
Albany’s WNYT-TV first reported that Amtrak would not run the train this year.
LOL.Making America great again.Stick to the air next time
Been a lot of news lately how intermodal is losing freight to the truckers once again; I guess here is another opportunity for a trucking co.to step in and help out the Marines!
Propeller head needs to step back and evaluate stuff, like his crazy statements about people not wanting to eat with strangers on trains and roaming around in aisles is not good. That is the reason people take trains, to meet others and stretch legs. I just returned from trip on City of NOLA and no one has a good thing to say about him. Maybe the stockholders like him, but the general public does not. He is like Scrooge for sure with this idea.
the DELTA DICK needs to stroke out !!
Delta Dick – Ebenezer Scrooge reincarnated!
Years ago the GWWR had a Christmas Train – handing out candy, etc, at train stations along the way. Crews and other people donated their time for this trip (East St. Louis to Blue Springs MO as the 12-hr law would generally catch them there.) After the KCS bought the GWWR, this train was expanded covering segments of all lines each year. The KCS Executive Train is used with NO connection with AMTK. I’ve visited this train on many occasions and participated as an ‘elf’ handing large goodie bags to all who were 10 and under as they toured the displays and talked with Santa and Mrs. Clause within the train. I’ll need to watch the internet as I expect the train to operate again this year..
I don’t know what say. In the past I would praise and tell people about my trips on Amtrak and how great it was. Now I just look at what’s going on and shake my head. I live between 2 Empire Builder stations in Minnesota.
I didn’t know that the new head of Amtrak was related to the Grinch. )-:
Amtrak, REALLY!!!!!!!!!
Getting a lot of national negative publicity, Amtrak. Dumb and heartless move.
Joe Kurland: Thanks for the kudos. Wouldn’t any of us like a shot at undoing this mess.
I spent 35 years full-time running a tour company that specialized in rail trips worldwide–of course including Amtrak. I remind myself daily how glad I am now to be retired rather than to have to face Amtrak’s insane new policies for groups, private cars and charters. And that doesn’t begin to cover what Anderson has done to food service, the LAKESHORE, CAPITOL LIMITED, SW CHIEF and soon the TEXAS EAGLE.
See http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2018/08/01-amtrak-changes-booking-policies-for-tour-operators for my earlier notes on the new group rules.
May we dream that he has burned through most of his capital with the Congress?
Carl Fowler, I nominate you for Amtrak CEO. You have an understanding of the business and you love trains. Anderson has neither.
Management rational: The airlines don’t fly special routes stopping as small airports and delivering gifts so why should Amtrak?
The blasted link didn’t “light up.” Maybe someone else can do the honors. Sorry folks.
Well, since I like to spread joy everywhere I go, on a lighter and fun note how’s about a head-end ride on a Susquehanna “Toys For Tots” train from a few years ago? Yeah, ol’ “Suzie-Q” knows how to get it done!
There’s a rock music background, so you MAY want to turn the volume down a bit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHIJBAP9l_I
Enjoy the ride! Maybe someone from Amtrak will see this and reconsider. Or maybe not.
It is time to disolve Amtrk and hire Austraila’s Great Southern Rail to operate long distance trains in the USA. GSR’s fine trains, The Indian Pacific, The Ghan, The Overland, each provide deluxe passenger rail service Down Under. Check out their website http://www.greatsouthernrail.com/au to begin the online journey of your life.
WOW!
Ready, Fire,Aim!
T’were the months before Christmas at Amtrak
T’were the months before Christmas
At Amtrak HQ
The execs were all gathered
Pondering who to next to screw.
They gloated and smiled
Pondering their past success
Customer satisfaction was eroding
Devolving into a mess.
Though their focus was “on track”
They smirked with a pun
Their job was not finished
Until all trains were gone.
The Pacific Parlour Cars
Were a passenger’s delight
So they were summarily mothballed
And whisked far from sight.
“Contemporary Dining”
Is a term spin doctors quite relish
But as an eating experience
It’s become chaotically hellish.
Destaffing key stations
Will drive patrons away
And force grandma to stay home
Because she can’t check her bags.
Private cars and group travel?
Were a great revenue source
So we made it much harder
For them to use Amtrak, of course.
But we can’t rest on our laurels
And our job’s not yet done
Until each Amtrak long distance train
Makes its last run.
And try though we might
We just can’t understand why
Americans so enthusiastically like trains
When they could just walk, drive, or fly.
As the opportunity approached us
In far upper New York State
Arose a chance to tarnish our image
And show trains aren’t that great.
The joy of giving, trains, and Christmas
Used to go hand-in-hand
But not at the “new” Amtrak
Such frivolity is now banned.
“How can you be so callous?”
Shout those who are miffed.
Being immune to embarrassment
Is a wonderful gift.
So Grinch, we salute you
And though you did not succeed
Your inspiration here flourishes
Driving our indifference and greed.
–Merry Christmas from Amtrak
“Hey. If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I’d like Anderson, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, ****less, hopeless, heartless, fat-***, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey **** he is. Hallelujah. Holy shit. Where’s the Tylenol? ” – Clark Griswold
Now everybody sing a long; You’re a mean one, Mr Grinch
You really are a heel
You’re as cuddly as a cactus
You’re as charming as an eel
Mr. Grinch!
You’re a bad banana
With a greasy black peel!
You’re a monster, Mr. Grinch!
Your heart’s an empty hole
Your brain is full of spiders
You’ve got garlic in your soul
Mr. Grinch!
I wouldn’t touch you
With a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!
You’re a vile one, Mr. Grinch!
You have termites in your smile
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile
Mr. Grinch!
Given the choice between the two of you
I’d take the seasick crocodile!
You’re a foul one, Mr. Grinch!
You’re a nasty, wasty skunk!
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk
Mr. Grinch!
The three words that best describe you
Are as follows, and I quote
“Stink, stank, stunk!”
You’re a rotter, Mr. Grinch!
You’re the king of sinful sots!
Your heart’s a dead tomato
Splotched with moldy, purple spots
Mr. Grinch!
Your soul is an apalling dump-heap
Overflowing with the most disgraceful
Assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable
Mangled-up in tangled-up knots!
You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch!
With a nauseous super naus!
You’re a crooked jerky jockey
And you drive a crooked hoss
Mr. Grinch!
You’re a three-decker sauerkraut
And toadstool sandwich
With arsenic sauce!
Anderson is one heartless S.O.B. “Good business practice” is one thing, but this is practically like taking candy from a baby. Amtrak is supposed to be a National Railroad, not Mr. Anderson’s private property.
Does Congress need anymore excuse to call for Mr Anderson’s departure?
Robert McGuire
It might surprise you to know that most train crews do volunteer their services when working a job like this as they find it more rewarding to help those in need by helping to deliver toys to children that wouldn’t otherwise receive them. As for your other arguments, it’s a semi-governmental agency/semi-private agency(like the Postal Service), as such it’s part of the carriers mandate to serve the American public, this happens to fall under that portion of the mandate.
Mr. Anderson is doing what he was brought in to do. Just like many Amtrak Presidents before him he is trying to shut it down.
The ghost of Hunter Harrison strikes again