By Maxwell Sykes
COBLESKILL — A longstanding holiday tradition once again united communities across the Schoharie Valley with the annual operation of Norfolk Southern Railway’s Toys for Tots Special. On December 13, the special train made its yearly run, bringing holiday cheer to families and children along the Southern Tier rail line from Binghamton to Delanson.
Toys for Tots Partnership
December 2025 marked the 26th anniversary of the Toys for Tots foundation partnership with three Upstate New York rail operators: Norfolk Southern Railway, Amtrak, and Canadian Pacific Railway. Together, these organizations have worked for more than two decades to spread the spirit of the holiday season and ensure that children across the region experience its joy.
The Toys for Tots Foundation, a national nonprofit organization operated by the United States Marine Corps, was established in 1947. Local chapters in Binghamton and Albany serve as primary collection points for toy donations which supply the holiday train’s operation.
Over the years, Toys for Tots trains have operated across multiple regions of New York State under Canadian Pacific, Norfolk Southern, and other railroads. Following Norfolk Southern’s acquisition of the former Canadian Pacific Southern Tier Line in 2015, the focus of Norfolk Southern’s Toys for Tots operation shifted to the Binghamton–Albany rail corridor. Since 2022, Norfolk Southern has raised nearly $500,000 in support of the Toys for Tots Foundation.
2025 Run: Binghamton to Delanson
In early December, Norfolk Southern announced the return of the Toys for Tots Special, which would make five scheduled stops along the former Delaware & Hudson Railway Susquehanna Division, now part of Norfolk Southern’s Southern Tier Freight Line. The 2025 stops included Binghamton, Bainbridge, Oneonta, Cobleskill, and Delanson, offering local family’s opportunities to participate in holiday-themed activities.
The holiday train departed Binghamton at approximately 10:30 a.m. and arrived in Cobleskill at 2:55 p.m., then after departing at 3:25 p.m. Each stop along the way featured a half-hour layover, allowing children and families to enjoy festive refreshments, meet Mr. Claus, and receive new toys distributed by members of the U.S. Marine Corps. These events provided a welcoming and family-friendly holiday experience throughout the region.
Norfolk Southern’s Delaware & Hudson Heritage Unit
Norfolk Southern enhanced the 2025 Toys for Tots excursion with the inclusion of its newest heritage locomotive, honoring the historic Delaware & Hudson Railway. The D&H, a predecessor to Norfolk Southern, once operated the rail line connecting Binghamton, Cobleskill, and Albany, extending northward to Montreal, Canada, and southward to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Completed during the summer of 2025, locomotive No. 1080 became Norfolk Southern’s 22nd heritage unit. Its inclusion in the Toys for Tots consist marked the first daylight appearance of Delaware & Hudson livery through local communities in 17 years, making the event especially significant for railfans and local historians alike.
A Community Tradition
The annual Toys for Tots Special remains a meaningful event for railfans, families, and children alike. Hundreds gathered throughout the region to participate in festivities or observe the train’s passage. Railroad crossings along the route from Binghamton to Delanson became gathering points where families and railfans jointly shared the experience.
In Cobleskill, the train stopped along Railroad Avenue, drawing a large crowd. Local police departments, members of the U.S. Marine Corps, Norfolk Southern employees, and volunteers worked together to distribute toys and ensure a safe and successful event. The celebration was marked by smiling faces and a strong sense of community and the shared mission of Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, and the Toys for Tots Foundation—giving back to the communities they serve.
Our armed heroes distribute toys to local children in Cobleskill. Spreading holiday joy and giving back to local communities serves the basis of the Toys for Tots mission. Photo by author
At idle in Cobleskill, Norfolk Southern SD70ACE locomotives #1163 and #1080, rated at 4,300 horsepower each, hold down the point of the eight-car train. Photo by author
Our author Max Sykes, a sophomore History Major at SUNY Oneonta, and his father Paul Sykes, pose in front of Norfolk Southern, Delaware & Hudson Heritage Unit, #1080. Photo by author
Looking east toward Albany, one can truly admire the Delaware & Hudson lighting-stripe paint scheme of Norfolk Southern locomotive, #1080. Photo by author
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