Record railcar caravan expected in Westmoreland for annual 40-mile Toys for Tots collection

John Gonder is expecting the largest caravan of railcars yet for an annual 40-mile trek that doubles as a collection event for Toys for Tots.

Twenty-two railcar operators plan to converge Nov. 11 on the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad line from East Huntingdon to Hempfield.

“The people, they get really excited, they decorate the cars … and we have a little contest amongst ourselves for the best decorated,” said Gonder, organizer of the local railcar effort.

Stops are planned at several communities along the rail line to collect new unwrapped toys that members of the North American Railcar Operators Association direct to a local Marine Toys for Tots program. Donors can stop the caravan at any railroad crossing.

Railcars are small cabs once used by railroad companies to inspect and maintain lines.

In 2022, about 2,500 toys and $2,800 were collected, Gonder said. The amount of donations has been growing since the event started in 2016.

“Last year was the best year we ever had,” he said.

Some communities along the route are planning activities surrounding the caravan’s arrival. Railcar operators from Connecticut, New Jersey and the Midwest are planning to attend. Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf will travel with them.

The caravan will depart the Savage Intermodal Terminal in East Huntingdon at 8 a.m. and stop in Mt. Pleasant at the Route 31 crossing at 8:25 a.m.

The rail line runs along Jacobs Creek and the Westmoreland-Fayette border and will take the caravan into Bridgeport, Everson, Scottdale, Tarrs, Ruffs Dale, Hunker and New Stanton. Operators estimate they will be in Scottdale at 10 a.m. and Hunker at 11:10.

The rail line for a time runs parallel to Interstate 70 and then alongside Route 119 and the Five Star Trail. Operators hope to be in Youngwood at noon.

The line crosses over Route 119 near South Greensburg and heads toward Greengate Center, where the caravan will make an extended stop near Aroma Joe’s (891 N. Greengate Road) around 1 p.m. before heading back south. Operators expect to be back in Youngwood around 2:05 p.m. and in Scottdale an hour later. The journey should wrap up around 4:40 p.m. in Mt. Pleasant.

All times are approximate.