By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

The East Penn Railroad Santa Train is returning to town on Nov. 29 this year. Added features for the festive event include a refurbished caboose and support for the Toys for Tots program.

This is the Santa Train’s third visit along the tracks of southern Chester County with 45-minute stops at the boroughs along the way.

In 2023 and 2024, the public response to the Santa Train was overwhelming, with kids and their parents watching Santa ride into town. They waved to him, hugged him, cheered him and posed for pictures.

This year, the railroad has joined with the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots program that collects gifts for children in need. 

According to the Toys for Tots website, the Marines have engaged 69 different railroads throughout the nation’s northeast region this year to participate in the program.

Don Craumer, the vice president of East Region Regional Rail, the parent company of East Penn, explained that they are very familiar with the Toys for Tots program, as some of their other rail lines have participated in recent years. Marines will ride the train and receive the gifts for deposit.

On the day of the Santa Train’s journey through southern Chester County, there will be 45-minute stops made at Oxford (10 a.m.), West Grove (11:45 a.m.), Avondale (12:45 p.m.), Toughkenamon (1:40 p.m.), Kennett Square (2:25 p.m.) and the Creamery on Birch Street (3:30 p.m.).

Santa Train chairperson Susan Rzucidlo said she wants people to know that while any toy donations are greatly appreciated, there is no admission charge, nor is it mandatory to bring a toy.

According to the Toy for Tots website, the toys must be new and unwrapped and appropriate for children up to about 12 years old.

Marines will receive the gifts at the stops, or the toys may be deposited at bins which Rzucidlo has placed at businesses along the way ahead of time.

Unlike some other Santa rides in other locales throughout the nation, the East Penn train does not include registration or dining in the ride.

The other new features this year are the presence of the restored caboose that will carry Santa Claus and an extra box car to receive the gifts.

According to East Penn Trainmaster Randy Miller, the caboose is decades-old and has been shuffled around the stations of southern Chester County in casual storage for many years.

Miller said that for this event, the old caboose is getting a big makeover with a complete renewal of the interior and a new, dark blue exterior color.

The train will be led by East Penn’s red-white-and-blue USA 250 Anniversary engine and will be decorated for the holidays by high school students the night before.

Rzucidlo, who is also the mayor of Avondale, said she is again excited about the return of the Santa Train.

“I’m enthusiastic. It’s one of my favorite things that I do,” she said.