Things To Know: Caltrain Holiday Trains

Holiday Train Kicks Off the Season Dec. 7 & 8

November 4, 2013

Caltrain will once again be transformed into Santa’s sleigh on the first weekend in December, as the Caltrain Holiday Train, presented by Silicon Valley Community Foundation, spreads holiday cheer from Santa Clara to San Francisco. Glowing with lights and holiday decorations, the glittering “show train” marks the start of the holiday season for local communities and, in the 11 years since its inception, has become a favorite holiday tradition for the Bay Area community.

In addition, one Caltrain passenger car “wrapped” in the Holiday Train artwork will be in service from early November to the end of December. For a preview this festive train, visit holiday-train.org/train-wrap.php

Decorated with tens of thousands of lights, the Holiday Train will visit nine Caltrain stations on the evenings of December 7th and 8th. At each of the train’s 20-minute station stops, people can join in singing with onboard carolers and a Salvation Army brass band. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their extended family will get off the train to greet kids and pose for pictures.

“The Holiday Train gives us the opportunity to come together with our friends and neighbors and give to those in need during the holiday season,” said Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO and president of SVCF.

Carson also announced that SVCF will be extending their support of the  Holiday Train through 2014 and 2015. “We are proud to be a part of this great local tradition,” he said. “The excitement and joy that the Holiday Train brings to people when it pulls into the stations is truly a gift to our local communities.”

“I am happy that the Holiday Train will be chugging down the tracks once again, transporting the spirits of the young and young-at-heart,” said Caltrain Chair Ken Yeager. “We are proud to have the continued support of Silicon Valley Community Foundation in providing this magical experience.”

In keeping with the spirit of the season, the Holiday Train also offers people the opportunity to make a gift to a child in need. Representatives from The Salvation Army and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program will be at every station collecting toys for local children. Since the inception of Holiday Train, generous Bay Area residents have brought more than 49,000 toys to Caltrain stations. People are again encouraged to help make the holidays brighter for local children by bringing a new, unwrapped toy when they visit the Holiday Train.

Santa’s helpers can get into the holiday spirit by donating or becoming a sponsor on the Caltrain Holiday Train website: holiday-train.org

Community Support
Parsons and Whole Foods are Conductor Sponsors. The Nancy H. Handel/Handel Sunrise Foundation, Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation and Linear Technology Corporation are “Trainmaster” Sponsors. 

Media sponsors include Comcast, the Daily Journal, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Magazine 94.5 KBAY, 95.7 THE GAME, 96.5 KOIT, 102.9 KBLX and 102.13/98.5 KFOX.

Bayside Equipment Company of Redwood City donated the use of a generator to light up the decorations. Other in-kind sponsors include Jim’s Handyman Services, Locando Positano Restaurant, McCune Audio & Lighting, Peterson Technical Services, the Subway store located in the San Francisco Caltrain Station and Whole Foods Markets.

Saturday, December 7

Station

Arrive

San Francisco

4:00 p.m.

Burlingame

5:15 p.m.

Redwood City

6:15 p.m.

Palo Alto (California Ave.)

6:50 p.m.

Santa Clara

8:10 p.m.

Sunday, December 8  

Station

Arrive

San Francisco

4:00 p.m.

Millbrae

5:15 p.m.

San Mateo

6:20 p.m.

Menlo Park

7:45 p.m.

Sunnyvale

8:40 p.m. 

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