Metrolink Trains to Show Holiday Spirit

Commuters may not recognize the Metrolink trains scheduled to ride the rails through the area this Sunday and next as they carry a choir of holiday carolers, collecting toys along the way.

Each 470-ton passenger train, decorated with thousands of lights and other holiday ornaments, will make 15-minute stops in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys beginning at dusk Sunday and again Dec. 21.

Local firefighters will be on hand to take unwrapped toys for their “Spark of Love” program.

Francisco Oaxaca, a Metrolink spokesman, said that although Metrolink has participated in the toy drive for three years, this is the first time the actual trains have gotten into the act.

The modern locomotives will be decorated with 20,000 lights, and a special flatbed car will carry a similarly bedecked firetruck, as well as other life-size holiday displays.

The train will pass through the area beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Glendale station, 400 W. Cerritos Ave., then at 5:55 p.m. at the Burbank station, 201 N. Front St., and 6:25 at the Sylmar/San Fernando station, 12219 N. 1st St., during its trip across the Santa Clarita line.

Stops in Santa Clarita include 7 p.m. at the Santa Clarita station, 22122 Soledad Canyon Road, 7:20 p.m. at the Princessa station, 19201 Via Princessa, 8:10 p.m. at the Vincent Grade/Acton station, 550 W. Sierra Highway, and 8:50 p.m. at the Lancaster station, 44742 Sierra Highway.

On Dec. 21, the train will start at 4:55 p.m. with a visit to the Van Nuys station, 7720 Van Nuys Blvd., and arrive at 5:30 p.m. at the Northridge station, 8775 Wilbur Ave.

At 5:50 p.m. it will arrive at the Chatsworth Depot, 21510 Devonshire St., before heading into Ventura County.

For more information, call (800) 371-LINK.