CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train will again be sidelined by COVID-19 considerations in 2021, but the railroad will continue with the actions it took in 2020, donating to food banks and holding an online benefit concert.
“The spirit of the Holiday Train is about giving generously and inspiring those around us to give as well,” Canadian Pacific CEO Keith Creel said in a Friday press release. “While we are disappointed we again cannot bring the Holiday Train to communities, we are honored to run a virtual program and continue to support communities and food banks across our network as they work to address food insecurity in North America.”
The railroad will donate to food banks that would normally benefit from a holiday stop — including those that receive visits in alternating years — as well as holding the concert. The railroad said details for the concert will be announced in the weeks ahead.
CP joins CSX Transportation and Kansas City Southern in opting for alternative forms of giving in place of traditional holiday train operations. The CSX Santa Train in the Appalachians will be replaced by drive-through gift distribution [see “CSX Santa Train won’t run again in 2021,” Trains News Wire, July 15, 2021], while Kansas City Southern will hold fundraising efforts to benefit the Salvation Army in lieu of its traditional Holiday Express [see “KCS Holiday Express will not run in 2021 …,” News Wire, Sept. 13, 2021]. The Indiana Rail Road announced last week its Santa Train would run, but with new COVID-19 protocols [see “Indiana Rail Road Santa Train to return,” News Wire, Oct. 6, 2021].
