CALGARY — The CPKC Holiday Train and Holiday Express both are set to begin operation this week, with both the Canadian and U.S. trains beginning their trips on Tuesday, Nov. 21, while the Holiday Express launches its trip through the Southeast and Texas on Saturday, Nov. 25.
The Canadian Holiday Train actually begins in the U.S. — with three stops in Maine on Nov. 21 — while the U.S. train begins in Quebec, with two stops in the Montreal area. The U.S. train then makes appearances in the Toronto area on Nov. 22, 23, and 24 before its first U.S appearance in Bensenville, Ill., on Nov. 25.
The Canadian train makes a series of stops in Quebec on Nov. 22 and 23 before returning to the U.S. for stops in New York on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25. The U.S. schedule (including stops by the Canadian train) is available here; the Canadian schedule (including stops in Canada by the U.S. train) is here.
CPKC announced this year’s holiday train schedule, including details on the performers, in October [see “CPKC announces schedule …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 13, 2023]. Stops feature live music performances and raise donations and money for local food banks.
The Holiday Express, the former Kansas City Southern train benefitting the Salvation Army, begins its 20-city tour on Nov. 25 in Pearl, Miss., just outside Jackson. Unlike the Holiday Train, which makes multiple stops daily, the Holiday Express makes one daily stop, at 4 p.m. each day. Its schedule is available here.
