Watch: CPKC to Roll Out 25th Annual Holiday Train

CPKC is inviting everyone to celebrate the season with its 2023 Holiday Train. (Video Screenshot Courtesy of CPKC)

The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train returns Nov. 20 to Dec. 19 for its 25th year supporting food banks across its network by raising money, food and awareness for food insecurity, the Class I reported Oct. 12.

Professional musicians will play free concerts from the brightly decorated train’s stage. Each event is free, with CPKC encouraging every attendee to make a monetary or food donation; local food banks will be accepting donations at each stop.

The Holiday Train program was established in 1999 by Canadian Pacific, which earlier this year merged with Kansas City Southern (KCS) to form CPKC, and since then it has visited hundreds of communities and raised more than five million pounds of food and $22.5 million-plus for community food banks and food shelfs, according to the railroad.

This year’s program will include 191 live music shows in six provinces and 14 states. For the first time, the Holiday Train will also host shows in Pittsburg, Kan.; Joplin, Mo.; Heavener, Okla.; Mena, Ark.; Texarkana, Texas; and Shreveport, La. Performing on the Holiday Train will be Virginia to Vegas, Trudy, Anyway Gang, Tyler Shaw, Kiesza, Seaforth, Tenille Townes, Breland, MacKenzie Porter and Dallas Smith.

Additionally, the Holiday Express train, run previously by KCS, will make 20 public stops across CPKC’s network in Louisiana, Missouri and Texas. This six-car train with intricate displays inside and out will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit children and families as it continues its tradition of giving to The Salvation Army, according to CPKC.

Visit CPKC’s Holiday Train and Holiday Express train website for full schedules and details.

“The Holiday Train program is close to the hearts of our CPKC family,” CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel said. “Our railroaders take great joy in joining communities across our network as they come together in the giving spirit of the holidays. We are proud to support local food banks as we fight food insecurity by collecting food and raising money and awareness. I am grateful to all the railroaders and community members who have supported the Holiday Train over the past quarter century and made it such a success.”

“We are thrilled to have the CPKC Holiday Train once again visit Kansas City this season,” added Stephen Davis, President and CEO of Harvesters–The Community Food Network. “It’s such a fun event for the community that also raises food and funds for the 252,000 neighbors in our region experiencing food insecurity. We are grateful for CPKC’s dedication to help us build a community where no one goes hungry.”

“I could not be more excited to be getting back on board the Holiday Train again,” said Tenille Townes, Canadian country music singer-songwriter and CCMA Award winner. “I feel like I witnessed the best parts of the human spirit on the ride last year, with everybody bundled in the cold bringing donations for their local food bank. I can’t wait to play and see communities along the way coming together again this year!”