THUNDER BAY – Over the next few days the CP Holiday Train will make its annual trek across Northwestern Ontario.

THUNDER BAY UPDATE – Just in at 19:35EST — Thanks for waiting @nipigon. @CityThunderBay CP Holiday Train reports they are going to be about 30 minutes late arriving. Stay warm!

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The Holiday Train consists of 14 brightly decorated railcars in various festive themes, including a modified boxcar that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. They’re each decorated with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED Christmas lights and for the 15th year, CP’s elves have updated the lighting that adorns the sides of the two trains that are part of the Holiday Train program. Musicians traveling aboard the trains will play more than 150 free concerts from two boxcars that have been converted into rolling stages.

CPR Holiday Train in Northwestern Ontario

For 2013, Holiday Train supporters will enjoy the music of Jim Cuddy, Matt Dusk, Doc Walker, Melanie Doane,Tracey Brown, Willy Porter, The Claytones and other musical guests.

Since the Holiday Train program first launched in 1999, it has raised $7.4 million and 3 million pounds of food for local communities.

Musicians traveling aboard the trains will play more than 150 free concerts from their boxcar stage. CP asks that attendees bring a non-perishable food or cash donation, and all donations stay with the food shelf in the community where they’re donated. Items like infant formula, canned meats, and spaghetti sauce are in particular demand for the millions of North American’s who turn to food banks each month.