John Gorka and Willy Porter take the Holiday Train

October 13, 2005

John Gorka and Willy Porter will be the headliners on Canadian Pacific Railway's seventh annual Holiday Train through the northern U.S. and Canada on Dec. 9-16. The train, 13 cars done-up in lights, includes a freight car that converts to a stage for outdoor concerts running around a half-hour. Although the concerts are free, guests are asked to bring food donations or make a financial contribution to local foodbanks. The project uses CPR's role in transporting grain across the continent to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief.

The train will make 30 stops, starting in Gurnee, IL and continuing through St. Paul, MN and Minot, ND, ending its journey in Weyburn, SK. Other folks scheduled to appear include the Ennis Sisters, Tracey Brown and Santa Claus. There will also be a Holiday Train traveling from Montreal to Vancouver. And, a word to the wise, if you are taking Amtrak's Empire Builder (like I did last week - I wondered why I saw a CPR truck doing track repair) during this time, expect delays.