Tiny railcars pick up Christmas presents for 40 miles between East Huntingdon and Hempfield

The Toys for Tots box truck was filling up fast, before a caravan of railcars collecting toy donations even rolled through Hunker.

Volunteers loaded, and unloaded, the truck Saturday to keep up with the deluge of new, unwrapped toys the operators of more than two dozen railcars picked up along their annual 40-mile journey in Westmoreland County.

Volunteer John Harvey said the group with the truck, plus others at the Youngwood Toys for Tots warehouse, have to move fast to keep up.

“We got it down to a science to move that quick,” he said.

The railcar caravan on the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad line brought holiday cheer to several communities Saturday and residents responded with new, unwrapped toys that are destined for area homes in need. They brought baby dolls and Hot Wheels, monster trucks and at least one Barbie DreamHouse.

Members of the North American Railcar Operators Association decked out their railcars and some even dressed up to greet children at the stops between East Huntingdon and Hempfield.

Railcars are small cabs once used by railroad companies to inspect and maintain lines. Gary Smith, of New Jersey, who wore a Buddy the Elf costume, said he was amazed at the continued generosity in the communities.

“It’s a blast, it’s just so much fun,” he said. “The kids come looking for me.”

Hunker has turned its stop into a small festival organized by the community’s civic association. More than 100 people gathered in anticipation of the railcars’ arrival.

“Great fellowship — that’s what this town is made of,” said Mayor Mary Ramsay.

The railcar stop has grown into an event with food trucks that serves as a kickoff to the town’s holiday season, said organizer Doris Slater.

“It’s a lot of fun; word of mouth has spread it around,” she said.

Six Cub Scouts from Pack 460 in Yukon got in on the action, helping to load up the Toys for Tots truck. They’ve been coming the last few years, said Caitlin Stadterman, committee chairperson. It gives the Scouts an opportunity to learn about helping others, said Jenn Zucker, leader of the pack’s Webelos.

“It’s become fun for them, too,” Zucker said. “They love loading these trucks, they look forward to it.”