CP’s Holiday Train won’t be coming down the tracks this year.
In a media release, the railway announced the annual tradition won’t be happening in 2020 due to COVID-19. Instead, CP will donate to food banks across the country and will host a virtual concert.
“COVID-19 has created many challenges for communities across our network and has only increased the need at local food banks and food shelves,” CP president and chief executive officer Keith Creel said in the release.
“It is our honour 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!”
The Holiday Train traditionally stops in Regina around Christmastime.
The train has been travelling across Canada and the northern United States during the holidays since 1999, collecting money and food and raising awareness about the work done by local food banks.
Since its first trip, the train has raised $17.8 million and collected 4.8 million pounds of food for food banks in communities along CP’s network.
Details about the virtual concert are to be announced at a later date.