Small Maine Towns Celebrate The Joy of The CPKC Holiday Train

The CPKC Holiday Train in Maine feels like the official start of the season. There’s something about watching a brightly lit locomotive roll out of the dark that brings me right back to standing along the tracks as a child, feeling the rumble of an engine before I could even see its lights. The Holiday Train captures that magic perfectly, mixing nostalgia, community, and pure holiday joy into one unforgettable evening.

CPKC is the new name for the merged railroads formerly known as Canadian Pacific and Kansas City. That's a lot of letters to put on a train, so they shortened it to CPKC.

The Holiday Train made three stops in Maine, all in one night, in the Northern Maine towns of Hermon, Greenville Junction, and Jackman.

Each stop offers its own version of small-town celebration: families gathering early with hot chocolate, kids bundled in winter gear waiting for the first glimpse of the lights, and railfans like me claiming a good line-of-sight long before the show begins. As soon as the train pulls in, the entire atmosphere changes. Music fills the air, the railcars glow with festive designs, and the crowd settles in to enjoy a lively performance delivered right from the side of the train.

Performers on this year's trip included The Barenaked Ladies, Samshmouth, and American Authtors, just to name a few.

You never know who you're going to see until that holiday-decorated box car opens up to transform into a stage for live music.

There’s something about watching a brightly lit locomotive roll out of the dark that brings me right back to standing along the tracks as a child, feeling the rumble of an engine as it switched cars in South Paris, Maine.

But what I love most is that this event is much more than a traveling light and music show. Each stop supports local food pantries, and community members bring donations that make a real difference heading into winter. It’s a tradition that blends the excitement of a holiday spectacle with the generosity and spirit Maine is known for. For someone who grew up fascinated by locomotives of every kind, seeing that passion connect with something meaningful makes the experience even better.