Decorated Metrolink Train to Collect Toys

The decorated Holiday Toy Express Train will be paying a return visit to several area Metrolink stations this year to provide a bit of free entertainment and collect toys for the needy. It will make its first stop Wednesday at the Glendale station.

The train, its decorations and a brief show starring Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and an elf performing on a flatcar were underwritten by Metrolink, said Francisco Oaxaca, an agency spokesman.

The toy drive is being handled by Los Angeles County firefighters as part of their “Spark of Love” charity campaign, with Burbank firefighters handling the drive at the Burbank stop.

The train will spend about 20 minutes at each of its scheduled stops, Oaxaca said.

The Holiday Toy Express Train’s first local stop is at 6:55 p.m. Wednesday at the Glendale station, 400 W. Cerritos Ave. It will stop at 201 N. Front St., Burbank, at 7:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the train’s schedule is:

* 4:50 p.m. at Sylmar / San Fernando, 2100 Frank Modugno Drive.

* 5:45 p.m. in Santa Clarita, 22122 Soledad Canyon Road.

* 6:20 p.m. at the Princessa station, 19201 Via Princessa.

* 7:30 p.m. in Acton, 550 W. Sierra Highway.

* 8:25 p.m. in Lancaster, 44812 N. Sierra Highway.

The last day to catch the train is Dec. 13. Its schedule is:

* 4:50 p.m. in Van Nuys, 7720 Van Nuys Blvd.

* 5:25 p.m. in Northridge, 8775 Wilbur Ave.

* 6 p.m. in Chatsworth, 21510 Devonshire St.