Santa won't be skipping Chatsworth this year.
Metrolink's Holiday Toy Express is scheduled to arrive at the Chatsworth depot at 8:15 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16, with 50,000 sparkly lights, music, reindeer and all of Santa's friends in what is described as an all-new show. This is the opening night preview for the train, which will visit 42 stations across the region during November and December.
The free show, sponsored in part by the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, usually attracts thousands of families and their children who watch in fascination at this opening highlight of the local holiday season. This is the 16th year the train has toured Metrolink stations. The Chatsworth Holiday Parade and Festival will be Dec. 9.
However, in 2010, Metrolink planned to bypass Chatsworth until community outcry convinced holiday planners to change the schedule and bring what was described as a "practice run" to the station.
Visitors are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Los Angeles Fire Department's “Spark of Love Toy Drive.” Firefighters will be there to collect toys and pose for photos. The toy drive, in cooperation with KABC-TV, provides a new unwrapped toy or sporting good to children who would otherwise go without a gift this holiday season.
Donations can also be made at area fire stations, CVS pharmacies, or online at this secure site.
2012 Holiday Train Schedule
Friday, Nov. 16 Saturday, Nov. 17 Sunday, Nov. 18 Preview Night San Bernardino 5:00 P.M. Montclair 5:00 P.M.L.A. Union Station 5:45 P.M. Rialto 6:00 P.M.
Upland 5:45 P.M.
Depart L.A. by 6:45 P.M.
Fontana 7:15 P.M.
Claremont 6:30 P.M.
Chatsworth 8:15 P.M. Rancho Cucamonga 8:00 P.M. Covina 7:45 P.M.
Saturday, Nov. 24 Sunday, Nov. 25
Pedley 5:00 P.M.
Palmdale 5:00 P.M.
Ontario 5:45 P.M.
Newhall 7:00 P.M.
Pomona South 6:35 P.M. Sylmar 8:00 P.M.
Industry 7:25 P.M.
Montebello 8:30 P.M.
Saturday, Dec. 1 Sunday, Dec. 2
Camarillo 5:00 P.M.
Van Nuys 5:00 P.M.
Oxnard 6:00 P.M.
Northridge 5:45 P.M.
Moorpark 7:00 P.M.
Simi Valley 6:45 P.M.
Saturday, Dec. 8 Sunday, Dec. 9
San Clemente (North Beach) 7:45 P.M. Downtown Burbank 5:00 P.M.
Glendale 5:45 P.M.
El Monte 6:45 P.M.
Baldwin Park 7:45 P.M.
Saturday, Dec. 15 Sunday, Dec. 16
Irvine 5:00 P.M.
Santa Ana 5:00 P.M.
Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo 5:45 P.M. Orange 5:45 P.M.
San Juan Capistrano 6:45 P.M. Anaheim 6:30 P.M.
Tustin 7:45 P.M.
Fullerton 7:15 P.M.
Saturday, Dec. 22 Sunday, Dec. 23 La Sierra 5:00 P.M.
Rain Day - TBA
Corona North Main 5:45 P.M.
Buena Park 7:30 P.M.
Norwalk 8:15 P.M.
