The popular express train kicks off the holiday season with visit from Santa, helps children and homeless population with toy/sock drive
ORANGE – Metrolink’s Holiday Express Train arrives for the season with its first departure scheduled in Orange County on Sunday, Dec. 1.
The Metrolink Holiday Express Train, in partnership with the Orange County Transportation Authority, is a 90-minute ride along Orange County’s coastline that celebrates the holidays with on-train visits from carolers, snow princesses and elves and Santa and Mrs. Claus, among other beloved children’s characters.
The specially decorated Metrolink train will depart from the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station, 28200 Forbes Road, at 11:50 a.m. on Dec. 1 and return to the station at 1:20 p.m.
A pre-boarding celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. with refreshments and holiday music.
The cost is $20 per rider. Children 2 years old and younger ride for free on an adult’s lap. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.
The Orange County stop is the first of the season, with other Holiday Express Trains making stops in Ventura County (Dec. 8), Los Angeles (Dec. 8) and San Bernardino (Dec. 15).
Metrolink, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, also will sponsor a Holiday Toy & Sock Drive as part of the event. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are being collected to be distributed to children in need throughout the region.
New pairs of socks also will be collected and donated to homeless people in Orange County with the help of the Orange County Rescue Mission.
For more information on the Holiday Express Train and to purchase tickets, visit www.metrolinktrains.com/holidaytrain.
