This is the weekend for the CP’s beautiful holiday Christmas train to be coming to Illinois and Wisconsin. At least locally the visits are an effort to encourage donations to local food banks so I’ll be bringing canned food.
I am sure my friend Keith Schmidt will not object if I post here his picture of the 2001 version of this train (they change the decorations slightly from year to year)
Here is part of the schedule from the CP’s website:\
U.S. Midwest schedule
In the U.S. Midwest, the Holiday Train will embark on its journey December 9 in Gurnee, Illinonis, finishing December 16 in Carpio, N.D. where it continues into Canada and on to Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
Entertainers on this train include Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Tracey Brown, Juno award-winner Colin Linden, and the critically acclaimed family duo Ennis.
All times are approximate. Please check the arrival time prior to attending the event as this schedule is subject to change and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
IllinoisSaturday, December 8
- Gurnee - 5-6 p.m. - North side of Grand Avenue underpass, east side of Depot Road across from Viking Middle School park, 4460 Old Grand Ave. Benefits Northern Illinois Food Bank
I’m kind of surprised that there isn’t a stop at Franklin Park, as there has been in the past. It’s much closer to Bensenville, where I assume that the train will actually originate. Maybe it’s going out over the joint freight line, instead of into Chicago via the Metra trackage.
It quit stopping in Franklin Park in 2005. 2004 was the last year it stopped in Franklin Park. The only stop it makes in Illinois now in Gurnee, which has always been a stop. I was talking to someone from CP during the CP 2816 excursion and they said the crowds thay showed up to Franklin Park were dissappointing and that the town didn’t support it anymore. I was kind of surprized to hear this considering this town is the same one that has Franklin Park Railroad Daze each May, which they do a excellent job running every year. I really wish Franklin Park was put back on the schedule but I don’t see that happening. I’m heading up to Wisconsin Dells this weekend for a vacation and it will be stopping there.
We will have to discuss the cost of using my 2001 photo of the CP Christmas Train, but now onto the 2007 version of the CP Holiday Train.
I had the chance to get out Saturday Dec 8th and catch the train at Sturtevant, WI. The weather was perfect with 1 foot of snow on the ground, temps around 20 and snow falling towards the end of the stop. It was like a Christmas card.
Below are some shots from Saturday at the Sturtevant, WI Amtrak station just south of Hwy 20.
The train was right on time and actually left a little early. Wisonsin and Minnesota enjoy the CP Holiday Train 2007 Edition
I saw it last night when i got to work it ran was coming down the tracks as i was pulling into the lot to. Get my bus i saw headlights and as it got closer. I saw go by and it was the coolest thing I ever saw. It would have been better if i would have been at the waterford ave. Crossing but aleast i got to see for the first time.
