Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Holiday Train flies through Washington County
Washington County residents gathered in Ainsworth to watch the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train roll through
AINSWORTH — After spending time doing her favorite thing, playing with her cousin at the Meyer family’s Thanksgiving, 6-year-old Camille Meyer patiently waited just south of North Railroad Street in Ainsworth for the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to make its way through Washington County.
According to the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern (CPKC) railway, their Holiday Train tours Canada and the United States Nov. 20-Dec. 19 raising money, food and awareness for the important work that food banks do in their communities.
While the train has made its way across North America since 1999 raising more than $22.5 million and more than 5 million pounds of food for community food banks, Camille’s family had never heard of or stopped to see the train on its way through.
As she sat in the warm vehicle with her mom Sam Meyer, Camille anticipated seeing a train that “probably looks like Christmas” come by at any moment.
“We had Thanksgiving tonight,” Camille’s grandma Shirley Meyer said. “So, somebody knew and then everybody was leaving and they were like ‘come to Ainsworth before they leave.’”
While the Meyer family thought they would only wait for a few minutes to see the train, they ended up waiting closer to 30, but Camille said it was worth it to see all the lights fly by.
Nick and Lexi Yoder from Washington said this wasn’t their first time watching the train come through.
In anticipation of its arrival, the Yoders drove to Columbus Junction where they gave updates to a friend waiting for the train in Ainsworth.
The Holiday Train does more than speed through towns in North America with pretty lights, though.
CPKC’s website states “Professional musicians play free concerts from the brightly decorated train’s stage. CPKC makes a donation to the local food shelf at each stop and encourages attendees to also donate.”
“We were just down in Muscatine watching the show down there,” Wayland resident Mike Richenberger shared as he also waited to watch the train roll through Ainsworth on its way to Ottumwa.
According to Richenberger, when the train rolls into its stop, “they put the sides down on the box car. There’s two great big speakers on each end.”
“It’s a good little show,” he said.
The Muscatine and Ottumwa shows included performances from Seaforth and Kiesza.
He said that one of the musicians that performed at the Holiday Train’s stop in Muscatine was dressed as Mrs. Claus and “…was a good singer. She did a good job.”
The Holiday Train did not stop in Washington County, but that didn’t stop a crowd from gathering in Ainsworth to watch it fly by before its next performance at 10 a.m. Monday morning in Ottumwa.
The Holiday Train will perform at five additional stops throughout Iowa as they continue their route Northwest through Dec. 19.
Additional Iowa stops are as follows:
Mason City at 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 7
Ossian at 11 a.m. on Dec. 8
Marquette at 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 8
Lansing at 3:50 p.m. on Dec. 8
New Albin at 5:15 on Dec. 8
Those interested in seeing the train as it makes its way through the state can track its progress on the CPKC website.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
