The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is back in the Capital Region

MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The holiday season is a time for giving and that’s exactly what the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is all about.  From collecting food and handing out cash, they do it all. NEWS10 caught up with the train in Saratoga County, Monday night.  The holiday train has been coming through the Capital region Since 1999.

“I hope they have grinch lights,” said Chloe O’Neill.

“I’m waiting for when Santa comes,” said Dakota Vogt. Her brother, Maverick says, “I’ve been here four times, and I hope everybody on the news likes it.”

Some came from far and wide, for the first time. Grayson Davidson came with his mother from Rhode Island to, “see all the beautiful Christmas lights.”

And of course, the live music. This year the James Barker Band took the stage and so did singer Clerel.

The Elks Lodge of Mechanicville has done this event for years serving up hamburgers, hot dogs and hot chocolate. “All the money raised goes towards our veterans’ programs, or our children need programs or anything else that assists the community,” said Eric Maiello.

Even the Mechanicville Police Department getting into the giving spirit. “We have something new this year. We put in for a grant and luckily, we were the recipients. We received over 600 toys in order to hand out, tonight. We know this is always a good event in Mechanicville and we enjoy everybody coming out. We just wanted to add a little bit of a holiday touch,” said Mechanicville Chief of Police, William Rabbit.

Since the train’s inaugural journey, the holiday train has raised more than $24 million and collected over five million pounds of food for community food banks along the route. This year $3,500 was donated to the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center. And if you missed one of the three Capital Region stops on Monday, you can pick it up Tuesday afternoon in Fort Edward.