Canadian Pacific Railway has been making a novel holiday contribution for 17 years now. The historic company has put two trains, decorated with holiday light and cheer, on the rails travelling between communities in Canada and the United States.
The venture is part of its “CP Has Heart” initiative, which focuses on improving the heart health of men, women and children across North America. 14 trains with a million lights, are especially impressive as they move across the landscape at night.
En route the trains stop in the heart of many communities, towns and cities, raising money and contributions for local food banks. At each stop, people are welcome to come out for the event which features some great entertainment all for the cost of a donation in cash or food items.
The Canadian train is travelling through places in northwestern Ontario today and will pull into Winnipeg, Manitoba tonight at 9pm.
Devin Cuddy, son of Blue Rodeo‘s Jim Cuddy, and Kelly Prescott are on the boxcar and will be entertaining all those at the gatherings. Jim Cuddy will join the duo at certain locations.
It’s called a “holiday” train and not a “Christmas” train in an effort to be inclusive, and because the journeys begin on the American holiday of Thanksgiving.
Over the years the trains have collected more than 300 pounds of food and over $10 million (Cdn).
The Canadian Pacific Railway was established in 1881 in fulfullment of a promise to connect British Columbia when it became part of Canada in 1871. The railway runs from Montreal to Vancouver, and now south into the United States.
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