Not “Canadian” or “Pacific” any more.

Yes, I’m counting down to the 2024 CPKC Holiday Train as it chugs its way through North America. I’m totally stoked for this train chase, and I’m planning this down to the micro-second and millimeter.

And just yesterday, I noticed something about the new Holiday Train setup.

There’s a change in the train’s illumination.

Originally the train’s 14-car traveling livery hosted four boxcars, one each with the words “Canadian” “Pacific” “Holiday” and “Train.” As you can see from the shots I took in 2019.

In 2023, however, Canadian Pacific merged with Kansas City Southern Railroad to form CPKC. I mean, it’s not as cool a name as “Penn Central,” but in their defense, CPKC’s merger has lasted LONGER than Penn Central’s did.

But look at this glimpse of the 2024 train livery. Do you see what I see?

That’s right. There’s now a dedicated boxcar with the CPKC block logo – along with what looks like a ukulele-playing reindeer on that same boxcar.

Listen. I’m okay with this. Trust me. I am. As much as I would love to see a tricked-out Holiday Train being pulled by CPKC’s “Empress” steam locomotive, there’s no way that’s happening in this neck of the woods. And although I wish they could have arranged the CPKC letters to look more like the script that appears on the “Holiday” and “Train” boxcars … again … we must allow for change in our lives.

I guess.

I suppose.

If I have to.

But hey, do you know what this means?

They’ve updated the light show on the boxcars.

And if they’ve updated the light show on the front of the train … who knows what the REST of the train looks like? Bro … this could be epic.

And this also means, the Holiday Train locomotive HAS to have the new CPKC paint scheme on it. I mean, all they did last year was change the “CP” logo on the front to a lit “CPKC,” but now that they’ve had a year to make changes to the train … hoo boy …

I could seriously get behind this. And now it’s back to planning. Which cameras to bring. Which locations to shoot. How to get that super-sweet shot that makes this whole train chase worthwhile.

Trust me on this. I want these shots like I want air.

And if it takes me FIVE FREAKIN’ DAYS TO GET THE SHOTS I WANT…

I’m maximizing EVERY SINGLE MOMENT AND EVERY SINGLE INCREMENT.

YOU BETCHA.