The Canadian Pacific Christmas / Holiday Train is coming

[dknelson]

This is the weekend for the CP's beautiful holiday Christmas train to be coming to Illinois and Wisconsin.  At least locally the visits are an effort to encourage donations to local food banks so I'll be bringing canned food.

I am sure my friend Keith Schmidt will not object if I post here his picture of the 2001 version of this train (they change the decorations slightly from year to year)

Here is part of the schedule from the CP's website:\

U.S. Midwest schedule

In the U.S. Midwest, the Holiday Train will embark on its journey December 9 in Gurnee, Illinonis, finishing December 16 in Carpio, N.D. where it continues into Canada and on to Weyburn, Saskatchewan.    Entertainers on this train include Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Tracey Brown, Juno award-winner Colin Linden, and the critically acclaimed family duo Ennis.  All times are approximate.  Please check the arrival time prior to attending the event as this schedule is subject to change and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early.                  Illinois  Saturday, December 8 Gurnee - 5-6 p.m. - North side of Grand Avenue underpass, east side of Depot Road across from Viking Middle School park, 4460 Old Grand Ave. Benefits Northern Illinois Food Bank Wisconsin Saturday, December 8 Sturtevant - 6:45-7:45 p.m. - Amtrak depot, 9900 E. Exploration Ct. Benefits Racine County Food Bank. Pewaukee - 9-10 p.m. - Village Park, 325 Capitol Dr. Benefits Food Pantry of Waukesha County Sunday, December 9 Portage - 4:15-5:15 p.m. - Amtrak depot, 400 W. Oneida St. Benefits St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. Wisconsin Dells - 6:15-7:15 p.m. - Amtrak depot, 100 La Crosse St. Benefits Central Wisconsin Community Action Council. Mauston - 7:45-8:45 p.m. - Division Street Railway Crossing. Benefits Mauston Community Sharing Pantry. Tomah - 9:30-10:30 p.m. - 205 North Superior Ave Monday, December 10 La Crosse - 3-4 p.m. - Amtrak depot, 601 Saint Andrew St. Benefits WAFER. Minnesota   Monday, December 10 Winona - 5-6 p.m. - Amtrak depot, 65 E. Mark St. Benefits Winona Volunteer Services. Wabasha - 7-8 p.m. - Gambia Avenue railroad crossing near Bruegger Park. Benefits Wabasha-Kellogg Food Shelf. Lake City - 8:45-9:45 p.m. - Hearth Technologies, 800 W. Jefferson St. Benefits Lake City Food Shelf. Tuesday, December 11 Hastings - 4-5 p.m. - CPR depot, 500 E. Second St. Benefits Hastings Family Service. Cottage Grove - 5:30-6:30 p.m. - West Point Douglas Road, South of Seiben Bridge in front of the Youth Service Bureau. Benefits Friends in Need Food Shelf. St. Paul - 7-8 p.m. - Upper level of Central Parking System ramp at Broadway & Kellogg under the Lafayette freeway bridge and east of old post office. Benefits Second Harvest Heartland. Minneapolis - 9-10 p.m. -  Canadian Pacific Railway's Shoreham Yard, 2800 Central Ave. NE. Benefits Eastside Neighborhood Services. Thursday, December 13 Loretto - 4:15-5:15 p.m. - Hennepin County Road 19 railroad crossing/Chippewa Trail. Benefits Hanover Area Food Shelf. Buffalo - 5:45-6:45 p.m. - 612 NE Third Ave., behind McDonald's on Highway 55. Benefits Buffalo Food Shelf. Annandale - 7:15-8:15 p.m. - West side of downtown park over Oak Avenue railroad crossing. Benefits Annandale Community Food Shelf. Eden Valley - 9:00-10:00 p.m. - Main Street railroad crossing (state Highway 22). Benefits Food Shelf. Friday, December 14 Alexandria - 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. - Eighth Avenue East railroad crossing by Hubbard Feed Mill at 8th & Nokomis. Benefits Outreach Food Shelf. Detroit Lakes - 4:15-5:15 p.m. - Holmes Street railroad crossing near the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center, 826 Summit. Benefits Becker County Food Pantry. Thief River Falls - 8-9 p.m. - Depot/City Hall, 2017 Highway 59 SE.  Benefits Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf. Saturday, December 15 Elbow Lake - 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Main Street railroad crossing. Benefits Grant County Emergency Food Shelf. North Dakota   Saturday, December 15 Hankinson - 6:45-7:45 p.m. - American Legion Parking Lot, 122 1st St. (Main St. Xing north side of track). Benefits Richland-Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry. Enderlin - 9:30-10:30 p.m. - CPR depot, 101 Harvest Lane. Benefits Ransom County Food Pantry. Sunday, December 16 Harvey - 4:15-5:15 p.m. - CPR Depot, 600 Lincoln Ave. Benefits Central Dakota Ministerial Alliance. Minot - 7:15-8:15 p.m. - Main Street railroad crossing. Benefits Minot Area Homeless Coalition. Carpio - 9:10-10:15 p.m. - Main Street railroad crossing. Benefits Burlington Community Food Pantry.

 

 

 

Dave Nelson

[wgnrr]

Nice to see that the train stops at Tomah on Sunday this year. Would make an excelent photo op next to the ex-Milwaukee Road depot.

Phil

[CShaveRR]

I'm kind of surprised that there isn't a stop at Franklin Park, as there has been in the past.  It's much closer to Bensenville, where I assume that the train will actually originate.  Maybe it's going out over the joint freight line, instead of into Chicago via the Metra trackage.

[EJE818]

It quit stopping in Franklin Park in 2005. 2004 was the last year it stopped in Franklin Park. The only stop it makes in Illinois now in Gurnee, which has always been a stop. I was talking to someone from CP during the CP 2816 excursion and they said the crowds thay showed up to Franklin Park were dissappointing and that the town didn't support it anymore. I was kind of surprized to hear this considering this town is the same one that has Franklin Park Railroad Daze each May, which they do a excellent job running every year. I really wish Franklin Park was put back on the schedule but I don't see that happening. I'm heading up to Wisconsin Dells this weekend for a vacation and it will be stopping there.

[pmsteamman]

I got to see it go through Adrian Mi yesterday it was real neat. I love those wine red business cars.

[kschmidt]

Dave,

We will have to discuss the cost of using my 2001 photo of the CP Christmas Train, but now onto the 2007 version of the CP Holiday Train. 

I had the chance to get out Saturday Dec 8th and catch the train at Sturtevant, WI. The weather was perfect with 1 foot of snow on the ground, temps around 20 and snow falling towards the end of the stop.  It was like a Christmas card. 

Below are some shots from Saturday at the Sturtevant, WI Amtrak station just south of Hwy 20.

The train was right on time and actually left a little early.  Wisonsin and Minnesota enjoy the CP Holiday Train 2007 Edition

Keith Schmidt

[dknelson]

Dave,

We will have to discuss the cost of using my 2001 photo of the CP Christmas Train

(gulp) cost?  Eek. 

Dave

[railfan619]

I saw it last night when i got to work it ran was coming down the tracks as i was pulling into the lot to. Get my bus i saw headlights and as it got closer. I saw go by and it was the coolest thing I ever saw. It would have been better if i would have been at the waterford ave. Crossing but aleast i got to see for the first time.

[kschmidt]

Dave,

Eek,  I like Aak better.  Cost - breakfast on Saturday,  just kidding.  Enjoy sharing photos. 

Keith

[dknelson]

 

Dave Nelson