I’m on a less-than-three-weeks-to-go plan to photograph the CPKC Holiday Train as it passes through New York in late November. Trust me. The jack-o-lanterns on my neighbor’s porch hasn’t even wilted yet, and I’m already getting in gear for this.
And I’ve already noticed word in some circles that there’s some “adjustments” to the train.
Mostly involving the train’s lit-up logoture.
Previously the train was known as the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, with those four words spread along four boxcars that followed the locomotive. Looks something like this.
See?
Well, latest word I have is that the train’s four-boxcar name will now be shortened to three boxcars, with one boxcar saying “CPKC.”
Okay. I guess that’s understandable. You don’t expect a bank to retain its old name when it’s bought by another bank. Heck, the arena where the Philadelphia 76ers have called home has gone through seven or eight naming rights name changes based on what the bank’s current name is this year.
This message on social media also seems to confirm that the Holiday Train is shaving off its CP in favor of a CPKC.
That looks like Train 2249, the one that stays primarily in Canada. The train known as 2246 alternates between Canada and the United States, and the place where they’re putting those updated CPKC logos is usually covered with rope lights.
But now … here’s my thought.
Train 2249 has to make a stop on November 21st in Montreal. I’ve never photographed Train 2249. Heck, even last year, when I got my first Holiday Train shots in Canada … that train was CP 2246, which moves between Canada and the United States.
So if I plan this correctly … I could capture the newly-decorated CPKC 2249 in Montreal … and then a few days later capture the newly-decorated CPKC 2246 in New York.
This is exciting. I could pull this off. And get some of the earliest shots of the updated trains on both of their cross-country runs.
I checked the schedule again. Maybe there’s a way to get a few other other shows on the route.
Then I realized … the Montreal and Beaconsfield, Quebec shows are the FIRST ONES with CPKC 2249. I could capture the first images of the new train in its first public appearances!!
And although I won’t be able to get CPKC 2246’s first display in Maine (which also takes place on the 21st), those New York appearances will look totally delicious.
So let’s see. The Canadian train will start its run with performances by the Australian duo Seaforth …
The Canadian train will also start off with singer-songwriter-dancer Kiesza.
Meanwhile, the American edition of the Holiday Train will start its run with singer Virginia to Vegas…
And the American train will also have country-pop singer Trudy during the train’s New York appearances.
Yes, I know the Holiday Train(s) are three weeks away.
That gives me three weeks to plan these photo shoots.
Because if I miss my photo opportunities … ain’t no way those engines are backing up and giving me a second opportunity.
I’d have to wait until 2024 for that second opportunity.
Chuck The Writer 
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