Canadian Pacific Railway 2002 Holiday Train
At Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada
Monday, December 9, 2002
http://www.trainweb.com/news/2002/2002l09a.html
By Laurie Symons
The light snowfall only added to the excitement of the children waiting
for the C.P.R. Holiday Train. We were standing outside the
Smiths Falls train station and the wind had picked up a bit making it
quite cold, but the youngsters didn't seem to notice; they were warmly
bundled in snowsuits with layers of colourful scarves and mittens.
Although only in its fourth year of operation, this train of lights has
already become a Canadian tradition, signaling the beginning of the
holiday season.
And what a great way to begin the season, by considering those less
fortunate.
No Province in Canada is exempt from the need of these food banks, and
unfortunately it is a sign of our times that so many thousands of people
go hungry each day in this country. With yet another year of drought in
the west, and plant closures and job losses across the country, the
strain on our food banks will be that much greater.
On its journey across Canada raising awareness of hunger issues, the
C.P.R. Holiday Train accepts donations of cash and non perishable food
items to be donated to the local food banks where the train makes their
scheduled stops
Excited shouts of "here it comes" were heard, as all eyes searched the
darkness for any sign of the train. At 9:15 p.m., with everyone holding
their breath, the train slowly rounded the bend welcomed by the cheering
and clapping of all at the station.
Thousands of lights adorned this trainset, which can only be described
as "magical".
The train Stopped. A hush fell over the crowd as all waited to see what
would happen next. A sense of commotion was coming from the caboose
area, eyes strained to decipher who was detraining, it was so dark.
Then an unmistakable shape came into focus; the air was electrified as
Santa Clause made his way to the waiting children.
For the next half-hour he walked among them answering their questions,
and giving hugs. "Yes, of course Santa knows who you are", "yes I
received your letter", "I know you are trying to be good, I am very
proud of you", and "yes, Santa loves you too" were a few of the comments
I overheard him say to some of the children. What an honour to be
standing so close to this kind and gentle man.
In no time at all the C.P.R. crew had transformed one of the cars into a
stage, and we were all entertained with a performance by the very
talented Amanda Stott, Beverley Mahood, Duane Steele, and Tom Jackson, a
much loved Canadian entertainer and humanitarian.
The performers were obviously enjoying this as much as their audience.
But all good things must come to an end. The half-hour stop in Smiths
Falls was over, and right on time the train slowly pulled away from the
station. There will be more than fifty scheduled stops for this train
on their good-will trek across Canada, finally reaching its destination
on December 20th in Port Moody B.C.
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