(The following story by Dan Feldner appeared on the Minot Daily News website on December 18, 2009.)
MINOT, N.D. — The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolled into Minot Thursday night at the Main Street crossing, bringing not only flashing lights and thumping music, but also hope for those who need a little help this holiday season.
A large crowd had already gathered 30 minutes before the train’s scheduled 7:30 p.m. appearance, and the excitement in the air was palpable. Julie Okeson of Minot had brought her 5-year-old son Luke and 17-year-old daughter Jessica to the train for their first-ever visit. Okeson said the reason they came down for the Holiday Train this year was pretty simple.
“My son,” Okeson said with a laugh.
Luke is a big fan of trains, and when Okeson heard from a friend about the Holiday Train she knew she had to come.
As they milled around before the train arrived, Okeson said she didn’t really know what to expect, but was looking forward to it nonetheless.
“I just heard train, lots of lights and then the singing,” she said.
Luke was having a hard time containing his enthusiasm and warmed up for the train by singing his own unique rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Asked whether he was looking forward to the lights or the singing more, he couldn’t pick one over the other.
“The lights and the singing!” Luke said in a half-yell.
While Luke was ready to burst waiting for the train to come, his older sister was a little more relaxed about the whole deal.
“I’m just kind of tagging along,” Jessica said with a laugh.
As the train pulled into town a little ahead of schedule, a cheer erupted from the crowd of hundreds as flashbulbs popped in the crisp but comfortable night air as boxcar after brightly lit boxcar slowly rolled past the crossing until the car containing the performers finally came to a stop and the railroad crossing guards lifted into the air.
After Santa Claus got the crowd going with a quick song, notable Minot residents Mayor Curt Zimbelman and Louis McLeod, executive director of the Minot Area Homeless Coalition, made an appearance.
According to Canadian Pacific Railway, 20 percent more Canadians and 30 percent more Americans will need the assistance of food banks this year due to the sputtering economy. McLeod said this is all the more reason to give food or monetary donations, as they will go a long way toward people in need in the Minot community.
“Every year CP Rail does this, but the one thing you’ve gotta remember, it’s what you do that stays here in the community to help your friends and neighbors. I just want to thank you on behalf of the Homeless Coalition, the food pantries and the soup kitchens,” McLeod said. “Because as (has been) said, 30 percent more are in need of help. So whatever you do tonight is gonna help someone and make someone’s Christmas.”
CP Rail then took the opportunity to present a check to McLeod and the Minot Area Homeless Coalition in the amount of $2,000.
Once the concert got going, toddlers were perched atop the shoulders of parents to get a better view as young and old alike enjoyed the upbeat Christmas music and the mild temperatures that were a refreshing change from the biting cold and howling wind that marked last year’s Holiday Train.
Minot residents Delores Selfors and her husband Rodney are Holiday Train veterans. While Rodney was walking around in the warm confines of the Old Soo Depot Transportation Museum, Delores had taken a seat and was listening to the concert outside.
Delores said they keep coming back year after year because it’s such a wonderful overall experience.
“It’s just fun and pretty, jazzy music,” she said.
“It’s just something different to come down to and it wasn’t freezing cold,” she added.
Delores said her husband was a railroader on the Great Northern Railroad for over 40 years, so trains run in their blood. That long history makes the Holiday Train a special event for the Selfors.
The last time Don Bradley was at the Holiday Train with his wife the temperature was freezing and actually made them leave early. This year was much more pleasant and Bradley was thoroughly enjoying the warmer weather along with the entertainment.
“I think the music is really good, that’s probably the main reason we come, other than just looking at the cars, how they’re decorated,” Bradley said.
The thousands of lights decorating the boxcars and high-energy performances will definitely keep the Bradleys coming back in the future, he said, no matter how cold it gets.
“I’m sure we will (come back), my wife will see to that,” Bradley said with a laugh.