Sierra Northern Railway’s (SNR) Ventura Division and Operation Toy Train kick off the holiday season in Southern California. Also, Union Pacific (UP) and potential merger partner Norfolk Southern (NS) celebrate in Houston, Tex., and Atlanta, Ga., respectively.
SNR
SNR’s Ventura Division on Dec. 11 reported teaming with Operation Toy Train to bring holiday joy to the Santa Clara River Valley—by rail between Ventura and Santa Paula and by truck from Fillmore to Piru. A specially decorated train comprising a genset, open-air car, and observation car carried Santa Claus and his elves to greet the communities and collect toys for children in need. The crew consisted of Engineer Robb Whitaker and Conductor Matt Blackburn, staff from Sierra Northern and Sunburst Train, and Operation Toy Train volunteers. Some 677 toys were donated.
SNR is the freight division of privately owned Sierra Railroad Company. It operates approximately 75 miles of track in Northern California and 30 miles of track in Southern California, and interchanges with BNSF and UP.
Further Reading:
- SNR Debuts HFC ZE Switcher
- SNR Orders More Ballard Fuel Cell Modules
- SNR Acquires RailPower LLC Assets
UP
Earlier this month, the Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter of UPVETS held a toy drive. It also hosted a short trip around the Houston, Tex., area, on a train of UP Heritage Fleet cars and the railroad’s commemorative military locomotive, UP No. 1943, The Spirit.
The Employee Resource Group for military veterans and interested employees collected approximately 35,000 toys this year for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots.
Approximately 18% of UP’s employees have military experience, with some still actively serving in the reserves, according to the railroad.
In related news, UP earlier this season delivered the city of Omaha’s official Christmas tree.
NS
NS recently opened to the public a holiday model train display in its headquarters’ lobby at 650 W Peachtree St. NW in Atlanta. Through Jan. 3, visitors can view the display—presented by North Georgia Modurail—every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Separately, NS, Amtrak, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation ran their 26th Holiday Train on Dec. 13 in New York State.
