DINGMANS FERRY, Pa. — Operation Toy Train has announced the schedule for its 16th year collecting toy donations for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and other organizations that benefit underprivileged children. This year, the program has expanded to include Southern California and New York’s capitol region, joining previous operations in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Operation Toy Train’s goal is to collect donations of more than 35,000 toys in 48 cities and towns across the five states, through trains operating over 250 miles on 10 railroads that donate equipment, personnel and time. Events include collections at the Danbury Railway Museum, Danbury, Conn., Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and these toy collection trains:
— On the Naugatuck Railroad between Waterbury and Torrington, Conn., Nov. 9;
— On the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railway between Greenfield Center and Hadley, N.Y., Nov. 16;
— On the Woodstown Central Railroad between Salem and Swedesboro, N.J., Nov. 23;
— On the Allentown & Auburn Railroad between Topton and Kutztown, Pa., Nov. 24;
— On the Dover & Delaware River Railroad between Hackettstown and Phillipsburg, N.J., Nov. 30;
— On the Sierra Northern Railway’s Ventura County Division between Ventura and Piru, Calif., on Dec. 7;
— On the Delaware & Raritan River Railroad between Farmington and Jamesburg, N.J., on Dec. 7;
— On the Dover & Rockaway River Railroad between Rockaway and Flanders, N.J., on Dec. 8;
— On the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway between Rochelle Park and Vernon, N.J., on Dec. 14;
— On the Middletown & New Jersey between Warwrick and Port Jervis, N.Y., on Dec. 15.
The full schedule for each date is available here, along with additional information.
The public is encouraged to visit the train at any of its stops to donate new, unwrapped toys in their original packaging. Donations can also be made in advance through collection boxes at local businesses and organizational partners near each stop. Businesses and organizations wishing to participate, sponsor, or donate to the program are encouraged to visit the Operation Toy Train website or contact the organization at info@operationtoytrain.org.
