The CPKC Holiday Train Schedule for 2023 has been announced!!!

It’s happening again. That time in late November when I pack my camera gear and chase a Christmas-light diesel train throughout the Northeast.

And I can’t wait.

CPKC – the merger of Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific Railroads – have announced the 2023 Holiday Train tour. As in the past, two trains will criss-cross North America, with stops in New York locations.

And I can’t wait.

For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, you know that the Holiday Train has become a part of my Christmas since at least 2017, when I photographed it for the first time at a stop in Mechanicville. I blogged about it here.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

In 2018, I snagged a magnificent photo of the Holiday Train as it crossed the Cohoes-Waterford Bridge. Wow. That was fun.

A return to the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

In 2019, I went for a two-day chase from Albany all the way up to Crown Point. Trust me, it was a fantastic two days.

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train … 2019 Edition

And although the train didn’t run in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it returned last year – and I went for a three-day chase, including my first Holiday Train captures in Quebec.

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Chase, 2022 Edition – DAY 1: Welcome to Quebec

So how can I capture swank train images for 2023? Where do I set up? Cohoes-Waterford Bridge again? I-787 across from the old D&H Building? A super-secret location in Clifton Park that got rained out last year?

Oh, I’ve got plans, people. Plans like you wouldn’t believe.

And if you think my hardcore planning for the solar eclipse was intense …

You haven’t seen me when it comes to Holiday Train Chasing Time.

Okay. The US train schedule can be accessed at this link; stops in Canada can be accessed at this link.

But the spots I want will see the train arrive at November 24th at Menands (4pm), Mechanicville at 6pm, and Saratoga Springs at 730pm. Then the train will head north for stops at Fort Edward (115p), Port Henry (445p), Plattsburgh at 7pm and Rouses Point at 9pm.

And since the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads have merged, the Holiday Train will also visit stops in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Kansas this year. Wow.

I have a couple of ideas for this year’s Holiday Train Chase.

And I may have some success in this adventure.

Okay. Taking off Eclipse chase hat, strapping on my Holiday Train gear. 😀