CP Holiday Train Blog

2013 Holiday Train November 25 - December 19

Canadian Pacific’s signature community program, the Holiday Train announced its 2013 schedule today as the Holiday Train team revs up to roll out its biggest year ever. Further details will be released as the Nov. 25 roll-out date draws near, but one thing is already apparent — this year’s schedule promises to raise the most food and funds for local food banks and food shelves in the train’s 15-year run.

Since the program first launched in 1999, we have raised $7.4 million and 3 million pounds of food for local communities where we operate.

Each Holiday Train consists of 14 brightly decorated railcars in various festive themes, including a modified boxcar that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. They’re each decorated with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED Christmas lights and for the 15th year, CP’s elves have updated the lighting that adorns the sides of the two trains that are part of the Holiday Train program. Musicians traveling aboard the trains will play more than 150 free concerts from two boxcars that have been converted into rolling stages.

The U.S. train will kick off the program with its first stop in Kahnawake, Que. on Nov. 25 and travel across the U.S. Northeast and Midwest before its final show Dec. 19 in Weyburn, SK. The Canadian train will make its first stop in Beaconsfield, QC on Nov. 26 and continue its journey across Canada before the final stop on Dec. 16 in Port Coquitlam, BC.

As this is a free event, we ask that you bring a non-perishable food or cash donation in support of those in need in your community -- all donations raised at each individual event stay with the food shelf in the community where you’ve donated. Items like infant formula, canned meats, and spaghetti sauce are in particular demand for the millions of North American’s who turn to food banks each month.

Check www.cpr.ca and CP’s Holiday Train Facebook page for event locations and times.

2013 Schedule for the 15th year of the Holiday Train …

                               Photo credit Leo de Groot, Calgary

Canadian Pacific’s signature community program, the Holiday Train announced its 2013 schedule today as the Holiday Train team revs up to roll out its biggest year ever.

Further details will be released as the Nov. 25 roll-out date draws near, but one thing is already apparent — this year’s schedule promises to raise the most food and funds for local food banks and food shelves in the train’s 15-year run.

Each Holiday Train consists of 14 brightly decorated railcars in various festive themes, including a modified boxcar that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. They’re each decorated with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED Christmas lights. For the 15th year, CP’s elves have updated the lighting that adorns the sides of the two trains that are part of the Holiday Train program. Musicians traveling aboard the trains will play more than 150 free concerts from two boxcars that have been converted in rolling stages. Since the program first launched in 1999, it has raised $7.4 million and 3 million pounds of food for local communities where we operate.

The U.S. train will kick off the program  with its first stop in Kahnawake, Que. on Nov. 25, while the Canadian train will roll out, making its first stop in Beaconsfield, QC on Nov. 26.

The Canadian train will wrap up its journey on Dec. 16 in Port Coquitlam, BC, while the U.S. train will journey across the U.S. Northeast and Midwest before its final show Dec. 19 in Weyburn, SK. Check www.cpr.ca and CP’s Holiday Train Facebook page for event locations and times.

As this is a free event, CP asks that attendees bring a non-perishable food or cash donation in support of those in need in their communities, and all donations raised at each individual event stay with the food shelf in the community where they’re donated.

Unfortunately more Canadians and Americans in need are continuing to turn to their local food shelves. Items like infant formula, canned meats, and spaghetti sauce are in particular demand. 

What’s your Santa moment?

During a recent leg of the CP Holiday Train, we were crossing through North Dakota when the Holiday Train staff began talking about the pure joy in a child’s face when he or she  meets our Santa Clause, posing for photos, handing out candy canes and taking orders for Christmas Eve deliveries. 

Every time he bends down and hugs a child or asks wants they want for Christmas their face gets electric. It’s as if they’ve tapped into a jolt of something really special — it’s a “Santa Moment.”

While we were talking about all the amazing “Santa Moments” we’ve seen during the trip, someone said, “it’s too bad adults don’t get those pure, over-the-moon moments.” But we started talking about what makes our adult eyes light up and one of us who enjoys snowboarding said deep snow days, another said he gets a buzz when everything goes right at work; someone else mentioned they get excited when they have tickets for a great concert.

Today, as we went through the final day of the annual journey, crossing into Saskatchewan for a few final shows before flying home to Calgary and Minneapolis that conversation about “Santa Moments” stayed with me. It’s been a long time on the road for the Holiday Train staff, away from families, friends and home.

There have been upset stomachs, sore throats, inconsistent internet connections and some sleepless nights. But as I looked out at one of our shows today, and I noticed a mother, a father and a little girl dancing and laughing and holding hands; it reminded me that this trip has been more than worth it, giving so many families “Santa Moments” of their own.

It was also reminded me of my “Santa Moment”— when I get home from some time away and my little four-year-old boy runs flying into my arms and gives me a head nuggy with his tiny fist as I hug him and my wife. That’s going to be a true “Santa Moment” for me this year. Even if I’m getting head nuggied by a four-year-old. Tell us, what's your "Santa Moment"?

An interview with The Claytones

CP employee Steven Noble sits down with the Claytones as they wrap up their 2012 U.S. Holiday Train tour

                       From left to right: Anders, Kelly and Adam of the Claytones

Steven: It seems every year on the Holiday Train is better than the last. How many years have you guys been performing on the train?

Kelly: Well, we’ve only been doing it as the Claytones for a year and a half but we’ve all been performing on the train in other musical formats for three to five years.
 
Steven: That’s a lot of shows between the three of you. Can you tell me your favorite memory from the Holiday Train?

Adam: There was a show in Hamilton, Ontario where we had a great crowd, and we closed out the show with Silent Night — when we play Silent Night we do a third verse that’s basically an acappella sing-a-long with the crowd and it was kind of a goosebumps moment where everyone was just singing this beautiful song together.  

Kelly: My answer is also from a Silent Night performance. Earlier this season when we were singing in Iowa, Tracey Brown (also performing with the Claytones on the Holiday Train) noticed a woman in the crowd who was singing our songs in sign language. Tracey called her up on stage to sign Silent Night with us. That was just a beautiful, touching moment.

Anders: I’m not going to be quite as specific as my band mates: in general, I just love the buzz and the appreciation when we roll into a small town that might not get a ton of live acts coming through and everyone is just so supportive of the acts and the cause. It’s amazing to be a part of.

Steven: If you had to choose one Christmas song to play for a Holiday Train set, what would it be?

Kelly: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. That’s a classic.

Anders: “Chipmunks Christmas”. The kids just love it and it’s a lot of fun.

Adam: “Silent Night”. It’s just such a great ballad.

Steven: And, just to get a little bit sideways, if you won the lottery, name one or two big things you’d each do?

Kelly: I would open a dog shelter and I’d fly my family to Chile for a few weeks for vacation. It’s one of the most amazing spots you’ll ever visit.

Adam: I’d pay CP to do a train for every holiday, and we could do a Hallowe’en Train that has haunted cars and raise even more food and money than we already do for Food Banks and Food Shelters.

Anders: I’d buy my mom’s house for her and I’d become an uber, travelling fan and follow Sound Garden on tour.

If you’re interested in hearing more Claytones music and information, you can visit them online at www.theclaytonesmusic.com as well as download their songs on iTunes.

An interview with Miss Emily

CP employee Salem Woodrow chats with Miss Emily about her time on the Canadian CP Holiday Train

Salem: This is your first year on the CP Holiday Train, how has your journey been so far?

Miss Emily: It's full of excitement and the real kind of Christmas spirit, cheer, good will and positivity. It's really eye-opening too. We get to see some of the small communities that I've never had the chance to see. You drive through these areas but seeing it by rail is totally different. 

Salem: Fans across Canada have been asking where you came from and how they can get your CD. Where and when can people hear more of Miss Emily?

Miss Emily:  I'm originally from Prince Edward County but currently reside in Kingston, Ont. Most of my shows are between Kingston and Toronto. I'm releasing my full length debut album in spring 2013 and I will be touring to support that in summer 2013. People will hear original soul/pop rock. I'd say I could be described between Adele and Janis Joplin. 

Salem: How is it playing with Doc Walker?

Miss Emily: I've had a fantastic time getting to meet, know, and make music with Doc Walker. The collaboration between the group is unreal. It's been a great opportunity to fill in for Chris when he lost his voice.

Salem: You have played over 70 shows in just 21 days. Can you tell us about some of your most memorable moments from communities the train has stopped in?

Miss Emily:  Some of the smaller, more remote communities have really had an impact on me. Seeing the support and what the Holiday Train means to these towns is touching. Knowing that this program does so much and seeing the look in the eyes of all the kids there really hits you. 

Salem: What have you learned about train travel?

Miss Emily: I've learned so much. It's like living on an island. There's certain preparations I would have done differently though. But I can slap on lipstick like it's nobodies business. 

Salem: If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Miss Emily:  I'd do the usual like pay off my house, set aside money for my family. And support artists that I believe in, propel some of my own music. I'd also donate to mental health research, specifically the Schizophrenic Society of Ontario. 

Salem: What advice do you have for young musicians?

Miss Emily: Practice, be passionate about what you do, and be ambitious to create opportunities when you feel like there aren't any in your community. Finally, remember that music should be fun.

The CP Holiday Train wraps up it's tour this week. Make sure to follow us on Twitter @CPHolidayTrain and www.facebook.com/HolidayTrain 

A children's wish

Sometimes, when you do something every day, over and over, it can be easy to take it for granted — even when what you’re doing is for a good cause.

But, when a little boy named Logan with a degenerative spinal issue climbed on board the Holiday Train on Dec. 13, and charged down the aisle of the coach car, eyes as round as Oreo Cookies and a smile to match, it was a good reminder of what this trip is all about.

At each show we announce that we have raised $6.4 million and 2.6 million lbs of food for food banks of North America in communities along our tracks during the Train’s 14-year run. But this program isn’t about the numbers; it’s about the people.

Logan, all three and half feet of him, was able to ride up front in the locomotive with US Road Foreman Mark Clarstrom and enjoy a dream come true, thanks to the CP Holiday Train and the Children’s Wish Foundation.

When Logan returned from his ride in the locomotive he was ecstatic, wrestling with his brothers and telling them how Mark rigged up the seat so he could sit up and see the snowy Minnesota countryside from a different perspective than he may ever get to again. Even more so than Logan, Mark had the biggest smile on board.

As Mark was talking about how great it was to have helped Logan enjoy that experience, the Claytones took the stage car and began belting out Joy To the World for more than 1,000 cheering and dancing fans.

Even though it might have been the 50th time they sang it in the last month, I listened to the words and appreciated the smiling, grateful faces in the crowd with a fresh perspective of my own — and I’m looking forward to each and every one of the next 20 or so shows we’ll be doing in the next four days.

If you’re reading this, and you live along our tracks, make sure you come out! It’s a great reminder of what this time of year is supposed to be all about.

Submitted by Steven Noble

Midwest portion of 2012 Holiday Train buoyed by inspiring words of Chicago-area boy

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train By  JT Kirages

 

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.”

                                        JT poses with Kelly Prescott from The Claytones

Thanks Millet

Mayor of Millet, Rob Lorenson, put a challenge out to his town of 2100 ppl, to fill a balloon sized bag with food to fill a motor coach. The coach was donated by the lions club and if each person filled one shopping bag they could do it. They went above and beyond to help their communities food bank and the town came out in full to watch the event. Thanks millet.

An interview with Doc Walker

From left to right: support Bassist Brent, Dave Wasyliw, CP employee Leah, Chris Thorsteinson, support Drummer Steve

Leah: This is your first year on the CP Holiday Train, how has your journey been so far?

Chris: The journey has been unbelievable. For somebody who has never been on a train, I really feel spoilt. I mean, having your own room on a train? It’s like royalty.

Dave: It was neat, when we met up with the train in Whitemouth, we saw it pull in, you know, we don’t get that luxury anymore because we’re on it, Chris and I we looked like two little kids when we saw it pull up. So it was really, really neat. I remember thinking “I’m gonna spend the next two weeks on this train” and I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.

Leah: You have a song called “That Train”, how have trains influenced your songwriting?

Chris: Well it’s funny, country music always has a lot of references to trains and tracks, and I think a lot of it is cause trains don’t go off tracks, unless they derail, but it’s not like you could make a left turn if you wanted. Once you’re on that track you’re on it and usually it’s a one way track. The song “That Train”, it was just an idea that once you get on that train, you’re kinda there. It’s hard to explain the song but I think the last verse says a lot of it about the band. You know, we miss our families, we miss being away, but we still get on that train and go tour. I think there’s so much romance about the railroad and you really see it on this train.

Leah: Dave, any comments on the metaphor of trains?

Dave: Just my experience with trains, I grew up right beside the railroad tracks in Portage La Prairie and 70 trains go by a day there so it’s definitely in my blood, just the swaying of my house, haha, and just the rhythm of hearing trains, it would rock me to sleep.

Leah: How is playing out of a boxcar different than a regular stage act?

Chris: I love the stage coming down, when the front of it goes down and the smoke comes out because of the fog machines, I think it’s a great thing that they do and I think it’s really set up well with the band playing as the stage comes down. I think it’s really exciting for the fans and for us it’s unbelievable, until that 25 below wind comes shooting at the stage and the guitars go insanely out of tune haha, but it’s definitely very different. 

Leah: How is it playing with Miss Emily?

Chris: She’s wonderful.

Dave: From the first time we saw the train and we saw the Brothers Dube pop out with all that energy and seeing Miss Emily because we knew we’d be on the tour with her....just to hear her voice, the first line she sang, I couldn’t believe the voice coming out of her.  I just loved it. It sounded like she’s had a million lifetimes of experience coming out of that voice.

Chris: She does, she’s got that real raspy voice. Every time we play and she sings “Old Toy Train”, you know it’s a really country-sounding song, but she’s got this cool raspy-ness in her voice that makes it unbelievable. She’s so nice to work with too, not bad to look at either haha.

Leah: Can you tell me a little bit of what you’re working on right now? Any upcoming albums or tours?

Chris: Ya something that’s out right now is a duet we did with Emmerson Drive, we co-wrote a song with them called “Let it roll” and that’s the title track for their record. We are doing a tour with them in March, pretty much all the way from Vancouver to Toronto so you can check that out. Dave and I are writing, well probably not as much as we should be haha, but we just got back from Nashville and have been writing a bunch of songs and have been looking to get recording, probably by the 28^th of December.

Leah: Are there details on your tour dates on your website?

Chris: Ya you can go on www.DocWalker.ca or our facebook page

Leah: Great. The last question I have is from the charismatic MC on the tour, CP employee Josh Pender. If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would you chose?

Chris: I don’t know, it would probably be Josh I think haha.

Dave: Hmmm well maybe since we just went through the whole American election, I think Barack Obama.

Chris: Ya? Maybe Lincoln. I’ll go with Lincoln. Sorry Josh.

Dave: They had really crappy food back then haha

Chris: We could take a train like this. Or I guess that would be before trains like this?

Leah: Ya that would have been the steam age.

Chris: Oh ya, a steam train with Lincoln. Or maybe Winston Churchill – I heard he was on one of these trains. Or Demi Moore haha…

Dave: Or Oprah…haha

Leah: Well thanks for sitting down with me guys. It's been so fun having you aboard.

Doc Walker and Miss Emily will be continuing their tour on the CP Holiday Train across Alberta and B.C., finishing in Port Moody on December 18^th.  Scheduled event details available at www.cpr.ca

Santa's reply to Anna

Dear Anna,

Santa asked us to answer your lovely letter.

Does Santa get cold when he rides in his sleigh? No, The Elves created such warm clothes and the sleigh goes so fast that he stay warm and cozy the whole night!
How many Elves are there? There are almost 15,000 elves in many different toy facilities around the North Pole
Santa was very happy to get your letter and has sent your list to the elves. He knows you've been a very good girl and he's very excited to see you on Chrismas Eve!

Elf Lauren
HT US HQ