Naugatuck Railroad to Run Toys For Tots Train This Weekend

Information via the Naugatuck Railroad

NAUGATUCK, CT — The Naugatuck Railroad is encouraging its passengers, friends, and neighbors to meet a special train running on Sunday, November 12th to support the Toys for Tots Foundation.

According to a news release provided by the railroad, people are invited to meet the Toys for Tots Train at one of four designated stops along the Naugatuck Railroad to drop off donations of new, unwrapped toys.

Members of the United States Marine Corps Reserves will be on board to pick up these toys, which will later be distributed to less fortunate children in local neighborhoods to help bring them the joy of Christmas.

At each stop, visitors will have the opportunity to view the Naugatuck Railroad’s historic railroad equipment, meet members of the Marine Corps Reserves, and say hello to Santa Claus.

In past years, the Naugatuck Railroad has collected over 15 full bins, or about 1,500 toys, each year. It has set a goal for 2023 to fill its express car with approximately 20 bins worth of toys, according to the railroad.

The Naugatuck Railroad is partnering with Operation Toy Train for this year’s event. An all-volunteer nonprofit organization using special trains for collections, Operation Toy Train provides the single largest donation to the Toys for Tots Foundation on the East Coast with more than 30,000 toys collected annually, according to the railroad.

Other trains are running in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania during the months of November and December. The Naugatuck Railroad will partner with Operation Toy Train to expand the efforts of their organization, according to the railroad.

The Naugatuck Railroad works with several local businesses and organizations who put out their own Toys for Tots collection boxes, then deliver the donations to the train. Those who cannot meet the Toys for Tots Train on Nov. 12 are encouraged to make a donation at one of these locations, according to the railroad.

Schedule for Sunday, Nov. 12:

The Toys for Tots Train will be making the following scheduled stops:

• Waterbury – 12 pm to 12:30 pm

44 Chase River Road, behind Fascia’s Chocolates

• Thomaston – 1 pm to 1:30 pm

Thomaston Station (Railroad Museum of New England), 242 East Main Street

• East Litchfield – 2 pm to 2:45 pm

70 East Litchfield Road (just east of Johnson Road/Exit 42 on Route 8)

• Torrington – 3 pm to 4 pm

170 Water Street, next to Alfredo’s Deli

More information on the Toys for Tots Train is available at this page.