Pleased to report that yesterday's Toys for Tots train jointly sponsored by NS,Dunkin Donuts, Webb Rail LLC, Vivian & Bennett Levin, Amtrak was successfully operated ( exactly on schedule-thanks NS ) and brought much needed Christmas cheer in the form of winter jackets and toys to an estimated 15,000 folks in 5 economically depressed towns between Albany and Binghamton NY.

The spark plug and master coordinator behind the whole production ( once again) was Mr. Bennett Levin and his beautiful wife Vivian and their Conrail Shared Assets railroad executive son Eric. Without the energy and devotion of Bennett and his family there would not have been a train.

All in all a great success, and NS and Amtrak made a lot of new friends along the way.

My wife Karen and I had the honor of being Santa & Mrs. Claus and we came away most grateful to have been a part of this very worthwhile operation.

I do not take photos, there were lots of railfans chasing us so maybe one of them can post some pictures.

Merry Christmas, Ross Rowland