CP Holiday Train Blog

Seeing beyond Santa...

We received this note from a friend of the Holiday Train this week:

"Sometimes you just don't know who you are going to inspire. My 10 year old son, JT, is learning about poems in school. His class project was to write a personal poem about the holidays. Attached is the poem he wrote. Thanks so much to you and the team for inspiring my child and helping him see beyond Santa."

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

The Train is coming,
I can hear it.
The Season is coming,
I can feel it.
Bright lights.
Happy faces.
Joyous people
Everywhere.

But I can’t forget
Those who need.
Hoping for food and
Hoping for money.
They can’t be happy
Without their daily needs.

The Holiday Train.
The train brings hope
down the tracks.

The train’s not
Just about
Pretty lights and
Cheerful songs.
It was made to
Warm the hearts
Of the hungry.

The train travels
Far and wide,
To collect food
And money for
Those in need.

It brings a party in a package.
It brings people together.
It brings hope.
It makes us care.
It makes us remember.

The Holiday Train
 Is there to
“Lend a helping hand.”

Standing on the platform
I am waiting.
Clanging.
It is coming.

Like a beacon in the night
I can see it.
It warms my heart.
The lights are glowing
Like a second sun.
Lighting the darkness
And illuminating the cause.

The engine roars through the station.
It takes my breath away.
It inspires me to do more.
To be more.
To help more.

Such a powerful train,
with a powerful message.
A moment in the night
A change in me
Forever.

The Holiday Train
and I
 are there to
“Lend a helping hand.”

BC shows its holiday spirit

As always, it has been a pleasure rolling through the gorgeous scenery in British Columbia: valleys, lakes, trees, waterfalls. The trip down to Nelson and back up to Cranbrook, while mostly devoid of cell service, is one that cannot be missed.

But it's the community spirit that never ceases to boggle our minds. 

Like the small community of Notch Hill last night. Literally, less than 5 buildings dot the landscape. There's no mayor, although there are definitely people who take the lead. But yet hundreds come out from miles around to the show that we've put on for the past eight years. Bonfires keep the people warm as we pulled up and prepped for the show. This is a place that knows what the word "community" means, truly.

And Sicamous - had a poster contest and the winner, Daisy Mae, got the chance to ride the Holiday Train with our special invited guest Mayor Darrell Trouton. What an amazing way to spread the word about the Holiday Train AND give an amazing experience to someone who otherwise might not ordinarily have the chance.

Radium is always a shining start for community spirit. The fires, hot chocolate sales, different groups with booths supporting the event... we are always happy to stop by and entertain the masses that come out for the show.

What are some best practices that YOUR community puts on for or to advertise the Holiday Train? :)

Danelle W.

Anders "Snowball" Derup's blog

Hey everyone!! Snowball here. This year’s journey on the Canadian Holiday Train has been a huge success so far. Every village, town and city we have the pleasure to perform in inspires us more and more. Some remarkable moments have been the excellent singers of Blackie, Alberta and indeed the beautiful singing from everyone who joins us in “Silent Night” and other carols. The touching event of four year old Shael’s gesture of good will in Coleman will remain one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and remind us all about the true meaning of this season. The generosity that we witness within the communities across this gorgeous nation is a thing you really have to see to believe. Neighbors, friends and complete strangers have come out at every stop to prove that we are a country of genuine, caring people who love to sing, dance and support those less fortunate. As for me, a lowly drummer boy, I am just thrilled to be parrupapumpumming westward with this fabulous group of CP employees, musicians and close friends. Special thanks to all the staff who work tirelessly throughout the year to make this magical event happen. None of it would be possible without the skills and vision of these wonderful people. I look forward to each and every stop and if you watch, you’ll see a 1000 watt smile on my face when the stage doors unfold. Thanks everyone, your heart and generosity are what make the Holiday Train what it is and to those stops we have yet to make, we can’t wait to perform for you all. Happy holidays, Snowball.

Onto southern Alberta...

We alternate our northern Alberta (Calgary/Edmonton/Banff) and our southern Alberta (Calgary/Lethbridge/Nelson) routes from year to year in other to reach as many communities as possible. Saturday’s trip was a little different from two years ago in that our visit to Vulcan was in the afternoon and Lethbridge scored an evening show. Also different was our stop in Blackie; the crowd for this first-time stop exceeded the town’s population of maybe 400 people.

Vulcan is never a disappointment – they even set up their own stage and hold a concert before ours arrives. We can only hope our show shines brightly as a follow-up to the town’s own entertainment.

Lethbridge had an amazing turnout – mesmerized by the tens of thousands lights on the train. The weather even co-operated; the temperature was probably close to -20C last time but hovering just below zero this year.

Leaving Alberta this weekend, onto British Columbia. Warmer temperatures on the way? Brrrr.

Danelle W.

Fun, Food and Frosty in Manitoba

[skipping back a few days!]

It was c-c-c-cooooold in Manitoba on the Holiday Train! Which is quickly becoming a theme on the Canadian prairies...

Frosty the Snowman was a crowd pleaser with his carrot nose, top hat and dance moves at the CP Holiday Train stops in Portage La Prairie and Minnedosa. Frosty comes out when the temperature plunges, but it's looking warmer on our travels west, so Frosty is staying put.

Winter lasts a long time across Canada. Which means there are a lot of cold people in this country for many months of the year. And while we can't keep everyone warm (though we wish we could!) we are trying to keep everyone fed. Nothing makes these winter nights more bearable than a tummy full of food.

Food banks in North America and their incredible volunteers are working to stop the fight against hunger. So whether it's one can of soup or a van full of food, whatever you donate to the Holiday Train does make a difference. As always, thank you for your generosity, your smiles and your donations.
Eat well and dress warm Saskatchewan! We're on our way.

Jen H., Melissa M. and Frosty the Snowman

 

Saskatchewan Shines for the Canadian Holiday Train

Thank you Moose Jaw!

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the Canadian Holiday Train arrived in Saskatchewan.

Though Natalie Thomas from The Weather Network won’t admit it, we think the good weather is because of her. And the communities of Strasbourg, Regina and Moose Jaw took advantage of the balmy temperatures to come out in droves to the Holiday Train shows.

Natalie is with the Holiday Train crew until we arrive in Calgary on Thursday, December 8th. She’s helping us spread our message all across the country of the need to support food banks. If you have a chance to come out the Holiday Train shows today in Saskatchewan and Alberta (check out our schedule on cpr.ca) you could see yourself on national television on The Weather Network! 

We’d like to give a special thank you to the city of Moose Jaw for another year of amazing fund and food-raising efforts. Yet again they teamed up with the Co-op grocery store where bags of food were sold for $10 to donate to Moose Jaw food banks. Their goal was to sell 300 bags before the Holiday Train arrival. We are amazed with the outpouring of generosity from the Moose Jaw community who beat their goal and actually sold almost 500 bags of food, equaling close to $5,000 for their food banks.

Thank you Moose Jaw, Regina and Strasbourg for some of the best singers, dancers and donators we’ve seen!

Melissa M.

Sunny skies at Holiday Train’s first Saskatchewan stop. Forecasting, more to come

Saskatchewan greeted the CP Holiday Train with sunny skies and crisp snow as the CP Holiday train pulled into the first of 13 shows (between the two trains) in the prairie province this morning.  Bredenbury gave the CP Holiday Train a warm Saskatchewan welcome and showed us how Holiday spirit, singing and dancing are done.  One of Bredenbury’s own young talents impressed us all with an impromptu solo of Silent Night. Katie’s voice warmed the hearts of all.

While the Broadview Food Bank collected donations, the generous crowd also showed true hospitality.  Mayor Fred Nicholson presented the Holiday Train Orchestra with gifts of appreciation, and the whole crowd cheered a loud Saskatchewan welcome to The Weather Network(TWN)! TWN’s Natalie Thomas joins the train in Saskatoon for a couple of days, and Bredenbury helped get this show on the road.

Making sure we know just how cold it is - and how many layers to wear while enjoying the CP Holiday Train - were two of TWN’s local volunteers, Gail and Garry, checking out the show and reporting on the weather.

Check out this video for more from Gail & Garry

Jen H. & Steve S.

The art of staying warm

Yesterday was one of the busiest days on the Canadian Holiday Train. It was also possibly one of the coldest. But the cities and towns we visited are not home to the weak of heart. When the mercury drops, innovation abounds in Northern Ontario and Manitoba.

If you want to keep your hands toasty during the Holiday Train performances, look no further than our headliner, Canadian Folk Music Legend, Valdy, who has been sporting hand warmers in his gloves for the outdoor entertainment. You can't play me a rock and roll song with cold fingers!

If you want to watch the Holiday Train show from the best - and warmest - seat in the country, head to Kenora. A hot chocolate stand welcomed attendees who could then take their warm drinks to a set of bleachers where every seat had a great view of our Holiday Train Orchestra. If you found yourself getting a little chilled, fires were lit in barrels throughout the staging area to keep everyone's dancing toes from frostbite.

And let's not forget the "hot" couture! There has been no shortage of stylish, crazy and downright festive toques and hats. Keeping the cold out looks really good on the Holiday Train crowds who braved
the weather and came to support our cause.

But it's your hospitality and generosity that keeps our hearts warm this season. Thanks to all of the amazing communities we've already visited for spreading the spirit of the season across Northern Ontario and Manitoba. We can't wait to see what the rest of the prairies has in store!

Warm Wishes from the Canadian Holiday Train crew!

Melissa M.

(Almost) all you’ve ever wanted to know about the Brothers Dube

If you’ve read their bio on the “Entertainers” page of the Holiday Train website, you probably know that the three Brothers Dube (Liam, Jan and Quinn – 36 year-old for the three of them) have already released a CD, “One”, participated in the Bluesfest festival, and raised $130,000 for various charities with their music. Needless to say that most of the Holiday Train crew is jealous, of their talent and of their age (well, most of us on the train are already 36 years old…). This year, they are part of the Holiday Train cast, travelling from Montreal to Sudbury. At every stop, they rock the stage with their energy-packed songs.

Before they leave the train in Sudbury tomorrow evening, I was eager to ask them a few questions:

What will be your best memory of the train?
Liam: The people at each stop and the staff on the train – they are super laid back.
Quinn: Watching by the window while travelling on the train along the Bay of Quinte, near Belleville, Ontario.

What kind of music can't you stand to listen to?
Liam and Jan: Death metal.
Quinn: I don’t like disco.

What do you want to get from Santa this Christmas?
Liam: Modern warfare 3.
Quinn: An iPhone 4 S.
Liam: No, wait for the iPhone 5!
Quinn: Actually, I’d like an X-Box.
Jan: I’m not sure… maybe a couple of songs.

Does Santa really live on the train?
Liam: I am not sure. It looks like when the shows start, he magically appears and then disappears after the shows.
Note from the production: The issue, really, has been to try to get him in and out the smaller chimneys of the train. He’s had his big bag of toys caught up a couple of times…

What do you like the most about playing music?
Liam: Being on stage in front of 5,000 people.
Quinn: Having fun.
Jan: Being able to show people who I am and how I feel, basically, express myself.

What have you learnt playing with Valdy?
Liam: Simplicity. Now I am not strumming as hard. I’ve learnt that less is more.
Jan & Quinn: To involve the crowd in your act, like Valdy does with his song, “Rap it up, rap I up”.
Valdy: It’s the audience’s show, it’s good to get them involved.

Thank you Brothers Dube for this interview.
Let us know if you have any more questions for our artists!

The Brothers Dube & Melanie S.

Toronto & Vaughan

The Holiday Train rolled into Toronto and Vaughan today, through a steady rainfall and cold skies. Try as it might, the weather did not dampen the spirits of the young and not-so-young that were in attendance to greet the rolling train of lights.

Although the events at both stops had to be cut short because of the weather, once again Valdy, the Brothers Dube, and Santa, enlivened the proceedings with the music and merriment. A big thank-you needs to go out to all those who withstood the cold, damp weather to support the Holiday Train, the local food banks, and their communities.

Marv M

Photo credit: @junctionette