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  • 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

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2011 Browns Yard Santa train

Pertaining to all railroading subjects, past and present, in New Jersey

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Re: 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

 #996739  by RailsEast
 
A few photos from a great day; changeable skies, but good weather overall and an amazing crowd in Freehold...one of the longest lines I've seen to meet Santa. I know it's been said many times, but I'll say it again, thanks to all who put this train together; a truly generous gesture from the firefighters, the railroad and the railroaders.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2839844
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2839877
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2839846
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2839850
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2839868

Re: 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

 #996760  by Jtgshu
 
The red and green markers on the 4441 is a nice touch :)

Train looks great! Now "its the season!" - The CR and Middletown Xmas trains ran, so now the xmas season can offically start down in these parts! hahaha :)

Re: 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

 #996804  by Mike77E9
 
A huge thank you to the men and women that have made this train happen for the past 25 years! This has always been a very fun chase from Sayreville down to Freehold. Nice touch by the crew for putting '25' in the xmas wreath.

Crossing Sandifield Rd
Crossing Main St in Spotswood
Running past the old mill in Helmetta
Running between E and W Railroad Aves in Jamesburg
Through the crossbucks at Gravel Hill - Spotswood Rd
Crawling through Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan
Santa rides up front at Monmouth Ave in Freehold
The train at it's destination in Freehold, NJ
Closeup of the front of 4441 in Freehold
Closeup of the 25th Anniversary Wreath
The children wait their turn for Santa

And here is the accompanying video

The weather was pretty good, except the sun went away when we got into Freehold, but a fun day for all!

Re: 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

 #997281  by GSC
 
Great pics and fantastic video!

A friend is on the Freehold FD and they look forward to this every year.

Re: 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

 #997310  by GSC
 
Does the Santa Train have a symbol? SA -something?

In today's economy, and the way corporations think, it's so nice to see this train every year. Is the crew on regular pay? Overtime? Volunteer? Can the carrier write this off as a donation of some kind? Just curious, my degree is in business admin.

Kids, Santa, and presents. No matter how it's put together, it works. Good job by all. You should be proud.

Re: 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

 #997436  by wolfboy8171981
 
GSC wrote:Does the Santa Train have a symbol? SA -something?

In today's economy, and the way corporations think, it's so nice to see this train every year. Is the crew on regular pay? Overtime? Volunteer? Can the carrier write this off as a donation of some kind? Just curious, my degree is in business admin.

Kids, Santa, and presents. No matter how it's put together, it works. Good job by all. You should be proud.
The train runs as "santa train" there is no real symbol for the train as its pure extra. The crew volunteers there time to run it. Myself and the Engineer started as the Cndr and Engineer in 2001. After I left T&E to become a Train Dispatcher in 2006, I was still the Cndr for two more years , finally getting replaced for the 2009 run. The crew of the train really has a good time. Former employees show, and its a good time.

The trainmaster at Browns,the crews, and the Jamesburg V.F.D started the santa train in 1986 as a way to get the message out to the children of the Jamesburg area to stop throwing rocks at the passing train. A few years later the Superintendent of Oak Island, who lives in Freehold, got the Freehold P.D involved, and the trip was extended to Freehold. The orginal Browns Yard trainmaster who started it moved and was transfered to Paulsboro in 2005, but he and his wife continue to put it together with everyones help. He is retiring in 2012, and they say there not going to come up anymore, but i have a hard time beleiving that.

Conrail and the Freehold P.D and Jamesburg V.F.D donate most of the toys I beleive.

Re: 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

 #997693  by bigblue5277
 
With so many photos taken over the years, this was my attempt to capture a different perspective. Here the Santa Train serves not as the principle subject but, instead, a focal point to augment the picture of something which is greater (Browns Yard).

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/editPi ... id=2839612

Re: 2011 Browns Yard Santa train

 #999794  by OCtrainguy
 
Okay, my turn to join the photo sharing party, though I admit to being late. 'Tis the season to be busy...

We'll start with the
train rolling through Monmouth Battlefield State Park and then a closer look at CSX GP38-2S 4441 on the bridge over Wemrock Road.

Then we head to Builders General Supply Co. and the layover in Freehold where I got a closer look at the wreath being used.

After the crew finished up in Freehold and got the decorations squared away on the NS 3022, I photographed the train rolling west through Tennent. I photographed the train again in Englishtown as a father and son watch the train go by.

And last, but not least, the train crossing Lake Manalapan and then its final approach to the Jamesburg Fire Department.
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