Edmonton 
Although the CPKC Holiday Train did not make a stop in Edmonton this year, residents will still have a chance to enjoy this seasonal rail tradition, as Edmonton Transit Service is operating its own holiday train this Saturday.
Christmas Streetcar/Credit: Edmonton Radial Railway Society
The ETS Holiday Train will run on December 20, departing from Clareview Transit Centre at 5:15 p.m. and travelling south along the Capital Line.
The train will make scheduled 30-minute stops at several LRT stations, beginning at Clareview from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m., followed by Stadium from 6:05 to 6:35 p.m. It will then stop at Central from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m., Corona from 7:20 to 7:50 p.m., and conclude at Southgate from 8:25 to 8:55 p.m.
At the centre of the event is a historic 1946 General Electric locomotive, which will be decorated for the season and play holiday music during its journey. ETS is offering the event free of charge and welcomes families to attend at any of the scheduled stops.
The holiday train also serves a charitable purpose. ETS staff will be on board collecting donations in support of the United Way. Attendees are encouraged to bring winter items such as hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and socks. Financial donations will also be accepted through cash, credit, or debit.
Outside of special events, the locomotive plays a practical role in daily transit operations, moving heavy equipment and transporting LRT cars that require maintenance back to ETS garages. The holiday run provides a rare public viewing of this operational vehicle.
The holiday train will not be in regular service and will not carry passengers during the event.
The Edmonton Radial Railway Society offers rides aboard its decorated streetcar until December 21st. ERRS also operates free Christmas streetcar rides as part of Fort Edmonton Park’s Christmas Market.
