A yellow and black New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway locomotive rolled into Narrowsburg on Sunday, December 7, loaded with volunteers to collect new, unwrapped gifts as part of Operation Toy Train.

The donations will benefit the Marine “Toy for Tots” Foundation and other local civic organizations. 

“It is our first year having the collection train for Toys for Tots come to Sullivan County,” says Rachel Reeves-Graves, Sullivan County Coordinator for the program. 

The most needed item in the county are baby gifts, she says. “They are always overlooked because their toys are not in the regular toy section of most stores,” Reeves-Graves stated. 

While gifts were loaded onto the train in front of Narrowsburg Lumber, attendees like three-year-old Randy Konitsky of Narrowsburg were excited to take photos with Santa and do some trainspotting. “I have a train track at home,” said Randy. 

Iris Helfeld and Mary Bermudez of Narrowsburg brought an assortment of toys to donate. 

“It’s a wonderful thing in the holiday season to provide for children the things that they might not receive otherwise,” says Helfeld. 

Attendees waved goodbye as the train left with Santa and many holiday surprises for its next stop in Lackawaxen, Pa.