Holiday Train will not travel this year, will still donate to food banks


Not traveling, but still giving ... The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will not be making stops in Lansing or New Albin this year as it has in years past due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Canadian Pacific will still be making monetary donations to area food pantries.

​Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Pacific (CP) will donate to food banks in communities along its network and host a virtual concert in lieu of its regular Holiday Train program. The modified program will draw attention to food security issues, while ensuring donations go to all food banks that would ordinarily receive them, including those that typically host a Holiday Train event in alternating years.

The Holiday Train has been a holiday season favorite for area residents in its northeast Iowa stops in Marquette, Lansing and New Albin. Those events have resulted in generous monetary and food donations from both Canadian Pacific and the general public that have benefited the Allamakee County Food Shelf, Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) and the Way Station in New Albin.

“COVID-19 has created many challenges for communities across our network and has only increased the need at local food banks and food shelves,” said CP President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel. “It is our honor to continue to donate to communities across our network this year, even if the train itself will not run. The spirit of the Holiday Train program and the Christmas spirit will carry on this year through our virtual concert. We will have the Holiday Train rolling again spreading Christmas cheer as soon as it’s safe to do so!”

CP launched the Holiday Train in 1999, and every year since it has traveled across Canada and the northern U.S. raising money, collecting food and drawing attention to the important work of local food banks. In its first 21 years, the train has raised $17.8 million and collected 4.8 million pounds of food for local food banks in communities along CP’s network.

“We are very excited that CP has chosen a safe way to keep the spirit of the CP Holiday Train rolling in support of local food banks like ours in these challenging times,” said Calgary Food Bank President and CEO James McAra. “The need for food bank services has risen substantially over the course of this year and heading into the high-demand winter months. We hope CP’s concert will prompt the train’s supporters to give as generously as they’re able.”

Live music has always been part of the CP Holiday Train tradition. To maintain that tradition, CP will produce a benefit concert, with details to be announced when they’re available. CP intends to resume operating the annual train tour in 2021.