Spirit of the CP Holiday Train Shines Brightly for 12th year

Canadian and U.S. Trains roll out in support of local food shelves

CALGARY, Nov. 26 /CNW/ - North America's longest-running food bank fundraiser begins its unique trek across Canada as well as the U.S. Midwest and Northeast this weekend in its cross-border mission to feed our communities.

For the 12^th year, two specially decorated freight trains will launch their unique journeys across six Canadian provinces and eight U.S. states: The U.S. Holiday Train on Friday, November 26^th while the Canadian 'train of lights' will begin its cross-country trek on Saturday, November 27^th, from Beaconsfield, Quebec. 

"The Holiday Train's mandate remains strong and that is to help tackle hunger, regardless of borders or size of community," said Fred Green, President and CEO of Canadian Pacific. "At this critical time of year, CP employees and thousands of volunteers in Canada and the United States are again joining together in helping those less fortunate."

Residents in about 140 cities and towns on both sides of the border will be able to join the Holiday Train spirit and magic, with all food and money raised at each stop staying in that community for local distribution.

Each Holiday Train has 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of festive lights. Included is a modified box car that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. The two trains are assembled and decorated by CP employees in Montreal, Smith Falls and Calgary.

Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train program has raised $4.8 million and generated almost 2.3 million pounds of food donations for local food shelves.

"With our HungerCount 2010 survey showing a 9.2 per cent increase in Canadians turning to their local food shelves in 2010 compared to 2009, the CP Holiday Train is a unique and creative program that gives people an opportunity to support their local food banks," said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of Food Banks Canada.

Performing the spirit of the season from a specially designed stage on the Canadian Holiday Train is one of Canada's most versatile bands, The Odds.  Joining The Odds in Quebec and Smiths Falls, Ontario is the musical sensation, Brothers Dube.  Leading the musical message on the U.S. Holiday Train is Melanie Doane with rising star Kelly Prescott joining the train for several shows, as well.  Visit the Holiday Train page at www.cpr.ca for their bios and photos.

The 2010 CP Holiday Train schedule is available on cpr.ca - a website that more than 150,000 visitors check out each holiday season to get the latest updates and mark their calendars for the train stop nearest them.  Follow both Holiday Trains on CP's website with daily blog updates. People can join the Holiday Train on Facebook and follow the spirit of one of the longest-running cross-country food bank fundraisers on Twitter: @CPHolidaytrain.

About Canadian Pacific:
Canadian Pacific (CP: TSX/NYSE) operates a North American transcontinental railroad providing freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Incorporating best-in-class technology and environmental practices, CP is re-defining itself as a modern 21st century transportation company built on safety, service reliability and operational efficiency. Visit cpr.ca and see how Canadian Pacific is Driving the Digital Railway.

Editor's Note: Visit our Holiday Train website for schedules, the musicians' bios and photos, a route map, as well as downloadable pictures and b-roll of the train. As well, B-roll and backgrounders available on CNW Video on Demand: http://cnw.pathfireondemand.com/viewpackage.action?packageid=410

2010 CP Holiday Train Backgrounder:

• Planning for the Holiday Train begins at least seven months prior to the fundraising kick off. This is a grassroots employee effort. 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 raising awareness and collecting money and donations for hunger relief, crossing eight US states and six Canadian provinces in more than 140 communities for a combined distance of about 10,000 kilometers (approx. 6,000 miles).
• Every dollar you donate gives Food Banks $4 in purchasing power.
• Each Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet in length with 14 decorated rail cars, including a modified box car that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. The two trains are assembled and decorated by CP employees in Montreal, Smiths Falls and Calgary.
• The US and Canadian Holiday Trains 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.
• Joining the 2010 Holiday Train in Canada is one of the country's most versatile bands, The Odds, an alternative rock band, bring their energy and full voiced harmonies to the Holiday Train stage. Headlining in the United States, is musical sensation Melanie Doane. The Brothers Dube will be performing on the Canadian Train in Quebec and select Ontario stops.
• 2010 Holiday Train CD, 'Holiday Train Tracks' has been released. From rock and country songs to Christmas classics, this13-track compilation disc features a number of recognized Canadian musicians and ambassadors of the Holiday Train including: The Odds, Shaun Verrault, Melanie Doane, Kelly Prescott and special guests the Barenaked Ladies. All proceeds go to supporting North American food banks.

Fun Facts:

Since 1999, we've traveled 85,764 miles on the Holiday Train -enough to go around the world 3.5 times. It takes 30 "CP elves" 100 days to completely transform and decorate the Holiday Trains before they start their journey across Canada and the U.S. In 2009, more than 20,000 candy canes were handed out to the kids at Holiday Train events. In the 12 years of the Holiday Train program, it is estimated up to 250,000 candy canes have been given out to children as treats. In addition to an even brighter train, this year's Holiday Train program features an interactive website where you will be able to read stories. Visit www.cpr.ca. As well, join the Holiday Train on Facebook and follow the two trains on Twitter @CPHolidaytrain

For further information:

Media Contacts:
Canadian Holiday Train
Breanne Feigel
403 589-6949
416 814-0948 24/7 Media pager
Email: [email protected]

Kevin Hrysak
403 836-3874
416 814-0948 24/7 Media pager
Email: [email protected]

U.S. Holiday Train
Mike LoVecchio
778 772-9636 Tel
416 814-0948 24/7 Media Pager
[email protected]

Jeff Johnson
612 723-6422
[email protected]