Kato Metra Christmas Train - when did it run?

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
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Hello, I have recently (April 2016) gotten into US N scale model railroading. All of my equipment is Kato. I am modelling Chicago area passenger (Metra commuter and Amtrak) and UP freight trains.

I purchased the Kato Metra Christmas train a few weeks ago and would like to run it reasonably prototypically. I have had a look at YouTube and have seen that the train, besides running during the holiday period, ran for a number of weeks afterwards though not as a complete train. I have seen a video that shows the locomotive, Metra F40PH number 125, at the head of a train where the adjacent bi-level coach is in normal Metra livery (without the Operation North Pole vinyl overlays).

My question is: How long after the holiday period did the 2015 Operation North Pole (ONP) train run before its decorative vinyl’s were removed? Did the locomotive run separately to the ONP coaches after the holiday period and, if so, were the coaches kept together or were they split up?

I hope this makes sense, please feel free to ask me any questions if clarification is needed.

I am very impressed by the quality of the Kato equipment and will definitely be continuing my journey into US N scale model railroading. I am in the UK and have not yet visited the USA (but I keep dropping hints to my wife that I would like to) so please excuse any incorrect terminology that I have used.

Thank you in advance for all replies received [:)].

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Hi,
Since no one has any information or queries, I will post what I know in the hope that it is useful to someone in the future.
Kato bought out an N scale Christmas train pack in 2016 based on the prototype Operation North Pole train that ran in December 2015 on the Union Pacific North West line using Metra commuter equipment – an f40PH locomotive and five bi level commuter cars.
(From the Kato USA website): “Operation North Pole (ONP) is a volunteer-based public charity. ONP works with Chicago’s major children’s hospitals, providing a day of fun and fantasy for families who have a child battling a life threatening illness by hosting a fantasy trip to the North Pole. The magical experience includes, breakfast, a festive train ride to the North Pole, a visit with Santa, winter wonderland fun, entertainment, treats, personal wish list gifts, and much more! It’s ONP’s goal to provide these families an unforgetta