Crowds jammed the Chatsworth Train Depot Friday evening as the Metrolink Holiday Toy Express pulled into the station and launched a musical production of Martian Santa Claus to the delight of hundreds of children.
They filled bins with unwrapped holiday toys for the Spark of Love toy drive, collected by Chatsworth firefighters, and Devonshire PALS (Police Activity League) Youth Center.
This was the 15th year for the Toy Express, which came after last year's disappointment when the train was scheduled to bypass Chatsworth. After community pressure, Metro agreed to provide a last-minute dress rehearsal "test train" without the full, live musical show.
So this year, the Toy Express had only two stops Friday in the city of Los Angeles on its 32-station schedule: Chatsworth and Union Station.
For a full event schedule and listing of all the other stops, go to metrolinktrains.com/news/?id=7144.
—Saul Daniels
