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Holiday Train delivers Christmas cheer to thousands of families along Peninsula route

Thousands of spectators lined up along the tracks of several Caltrain stations on the Peninsula over the weekend to witness the festive Holiday Train on its southbound journey.

The train was decked out in bright, colorful lights that twinkled against the dull, silver metal of the cars. Children erupted in cheers as they were greeted by Santa Claus waving from the train.

The train set off Saturday from San Francisco, stopping at San Mateo, Redwood City, Mountain View and Santa Clara stations. However, the route did not go entirely smoothly.

Spectators line up trackside at the Caltrain Santa Clara Station on Saturday in anticipation of the arrival of the lighted Holiday Train and perhaps a wave from Santa. (Caltrain via Bay City News)

A car that was stuck on the tracks at Churchill Avenue in Palo Alto caused the train to arrive nearly one hour later than scheduled at the final two stops.

“A grinch caused some delays but we’re on the way now,” Caltrain said in an update on the social media site X.

The Holiday Train is slightly delayed! But we’re coming with the whole holiday crew and Santa too! pic.twitter.com/A2mP3577qs

— Caltrain (@Caltrain) December 8, 2024

A tow truck got onto the scene and was able to remove it from the tracks, “a holiday towing miracle,” Caltrain wrote in a post on X.

The Holiday Train repeated the run again Sunday, this time stopping at Millbrae, Burlingame, Menlo Park and Sunnyvale stations.

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