Christmas CalTrain

A festively decorated CalTrain Holiday Train has spent two nights this weekend touring stations for charity for children.

The train has over 40,000 lights and as night falls it makes a spectacular sight with a giant Father Christmas, reindeer and gingerbread men, a candy cane, bells and candles amongst Christmas symbols hanging on its sides.

At each of the nine stops Santa Claus and Mrs Claus accompanied by Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, a toy soldier, a gingerbread man, a bear and elves mingle with the crowds and pose for photos with children. Musical entertainment is given by the Salvation Army and local choirs.

All is in aid of two appeals for new childrens' toys and books for the Salvation Army and the US Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots Program. The marines also help to decorate the train which is sponsored by local businesses.

This is the seventh year of the train and over 25,000 toys and books have already been donated. It is a fun way of collecting for children who might not otherwise have much this Christmas.

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