Here's my report with photos from yesterday. I'm hoping to have the videos up soon, so I'll have the link once it's available.
I started off the day by meeting the train to Sleepy's. To my surprise, M&E 19 was leading the train, long hood forward, due to NS 3010 breaking down the night before.
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841150
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841155
I then headed to the Kenvil stop at Morris Marine, and got a video of the train arriving. I got a few photos of the train during its stop.
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841159
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841162
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841164
I then went ahead to the Berkshire Valley Road overpass and caught the train passing overhead.
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841168
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841169
Passing a few other fans along the way, I leapfrogged the train to West Dewey Ave in Wharton, where the tracks parallel the road. No photos from here, but I'll have the video in the near future.
Just in time, I arrived in downtown Dover and caught the train rolling into town.
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841172
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841173
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841177
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841182
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841185
And with that, my chase ended. Or so I thought...
After finishing up what I had to do in Morristown, I stopped by the shops on the way home, in hopes to see the train tied down for the night. I got there, but the train wasn't there. I waited around for a few minutes, but nothing came. Just as I was pulling out, I saw a headlight over near NJT's main. I waited to see what it was, and the train started coming down the hill. They parked the train on the hill, uncoupled 19, and brought it into the engine house for the night. The 2011 Toys For Tots train had officially come to a close.
http://ns3010.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=2841186
It was a great day, and it was nice to meet a few other fans along the way. Overall, the turnout was very strong, and it seemed like there were plenty of donations. Thanks to John and the rest of the volunteers, and I'm hoping to see the train make a return next year!