CP Holiday Train canceled this year
Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train has been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Railway officials recently announced CP will be donating to food banks in communities along its network and host a virtual concert in lieu of its regular Holiday Train program.
Minot and a number of other communities in North Dakota are regular stops for the gaily decorated Holiday Train each year.
“COVID-19 has created many challenges for communities across our network and has only increased the need at local food banks and food shelves,” said CP President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel, in a news release. “It is our honor to continue to donate to communities across our network this year, even if the train itself will not run. The spirit of the Holiday Train program and the Christmas spirit will carry on this year through our virtual concert. We will have the Holiday Train rolling again spreading Christmas cheer as soon as it’s safe to do so!”
CP launched the Holiday Train in 1999, and every year since it has traveled across Canada and the northern U.S. raising money, collecting food and drawing attention to the important work of local food banks. In its first 21 years, the train has raised $17.8 million and collected 4.8 million pounds of food for local food banks in communities along CP’s network.
Live music has always been part of the CP Holiday Train tradition. To maintain that tradition, CP will produce a benefit concert, with details to be announced when they’re available.
CP intends to resume operating the annual train tour in 2021.