CPKC Holiday Train to roll through the BC Interior as it celebrates its 25th year

For the past quarter century, the CPKC Holiday Train has weaved its way through Canada and the United States in November and December.

That will be the case again this year, as the popular annual fundraising effort will celebrate its 25th year with 191 stops across six provinces and 14 states.

Formerly just CP, this will be the trains’ first holiday runs under the company’s new name of CPKC after Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and Kansas City Southern Railway Co. merged in a $31-billion USD deal in the spring.

But there will be no change to the CPKC Holiday Train, as the two locomotives will begin their journeys on Nov. 20 and wrap them up on Dec. 19.

Along the way, they will raise money, food and awareness for the important work that food banks do in their communities.

The trains light up the night with their bright Christmas lights as they travel, before stopping in communities for free concerts from musicians.

Thanks to donations from CPKC at each stop, and generous contributions from the public, the program has raised more than $22.5-million and over five-million pounds of food for community food banks across North America since its inception in 1999.

Keith Creel, president and CEO of CPKC, says the Holiday Train program is close to the hearts of the company and they take great joy in coming together with North American communities to get into the giving spirit around the holidays.

“We are proud to support local food banks as we fight food insecurity by collecting food and raising money and awareness,” he said.

“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.”

The Canadian Holiday Train will start out east, so it won’t enter British Columbia until Dec. 12. Tyler Shaw and Kiesza will be the performers for the train’s BC leg this year.

Here is the full schedule of BC stops:

• Sparwood (Dec. 12 from 3:15-3:45 pm)
• Fernie (Dec. 12 from 5-5:30 pm)
• Jaffray (Dec. 12 from 6:45-7:15 pm)
• Cranbrook (Dec. 12 from 9-9:30 pm)
• Creston (Dec. 13 from 10-10:30 am)
• Castlegar (Dec. 13 from 4:45-5:15 pm)
• Nelson (Dec. 13 from 7-7:30 pm)
• Radium (Dec. 14 from 6-6:30 pm)
• Golden (Dec. 14 from 9:15-9:45 pm)
• Revelstoke (Dec. 15 from 2:45-3:15 pm)
• Sicamous (Dec. 15 from 5:15-5:45 pm)
• Canoe (Dec. 15 from 6:45-7:15 pm)
• Salmon Arm (Dec. 15 from 8-8:30 pm)
• Notch Hill (Dec. 15 from 9:30-10 pm)
• Chase (Dec. 16 from 2:45-3:15 pm)
• Kamloops (Dec. 16 from 5-5:30 pm)
• Savona (Dec. 16 from 7:05-7:30 pm)
• Ashcroft (Dec. 16 from 8:45-9:15 pm)
• Lytton (Dec. 17 from 11:30 am-noon)
• Agassiz (Dec. 17 from 5:45-6:15 pm)
• Maple Ridge (Dec. 17 from 8-8:30 pm)
• Pitt Meadows (Dec. 17 from 9:05-9:30 pm)
• Port Moody (Dec. 18 from 5:45-6:15 pm)
• Port Coquitlam (Dec. 18 from 7:15-7:45 pm)

For more information on the CPKC Holiday Train, click this link.