‘Train Day’ is fast becoming a wonderful pre-Christmas ‘can’t miss’ tradition in Elbow Lake! Each fall the Chamber of Commerce eagerly awaits word from the Canadian Pacific Railroad as to what day the train will roll into Elbow Lake. This year that day will be Saturday, December 15 at approximately 4:30 pm. The time is not set yet. When the train rolls into town, the lights twinkle, the horn blows, and the train comes to a stop. The doors open and the crowd cheers as first-rate musicians entertain the group for 30 minutes. The musicians vary each year, but are always so good that you don’t mind standing outside in below freezing temperatures to listen. Besides, the foot-tapping music keeps you moving so there’s no threat of cold toes or hands! AND...the children know that the special guest at the end of the performance is....Santa!

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Train Day! Elbow Lake’s Holiday Tradition [UPDATED]

Published 12:43pm Friday, November 9, 2012 Updated 12:43pm Friday, November 9, 2012

About the train…

Andy Cummings, the Advisor and Media Relations Specialist for the Holiday Train provided more specific information about the Holiday train:

‘The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be appearing in Elbow Lake, MN, on Dec. 15. The holiday train continues to throw the focus on the important job local food banks do in communities like Elbow Lake in fighting hunger.

Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train has become part of the fabric of the communities where it stops, and an important fundraiser for many food shelves. Since its launch, the Holiday Train has raised close to $6.4 million and about 2.6 million pounds of food for North American food banks. Every dollar raised gives food banks $4 in purchasing power.

At CP, we recognize the issues that matter to the communities in which we live and do business. The issue of those who are forced to turn to food banks is a reality that impacts all of us in some way. We feel it is important to show our support for local food banks, especially at this critical time of year for food bank programs.

Planning for the Holiday Train begins at least seven months prior to the fundraising kickoff. This is a grassroots employee effort. Thousands of CP workers volunteer for the special fundraising journey every year – many taking their vacations to work on each train – from train assembly to operations.

Two Holiday Trains raise awareness and collect money and donations for hunger relief, crossing eight US states and six Canadian provinces for a combined distance of about 6,000 miles. The two trains will visit close to 150 communities in Canada and the United States Northeast and Midwest, in addition to many other stops along the way.

Each Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet in length with 14 decorated railcars, including a modified boxcar that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. They are each decorated with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED Christmas lights. Both Holiday Trains are powered by GE-built 4,400-hp high-performance locomotives with four diesel generators to power the light systems.’

So, ‘SAVE THE DATE – DECEMBER 15’ and plan to take yourself and/or your entire family to Elbow Lake to participate in ‘Train Day!’ Because the event is on a Saturday this year we are hoping to add more winter-themed activities throughout the day. Come join the winter fun.