Canadian Pacific holiday train makes stops in Milwaukee area

 

STURTEVANT, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A December favorite rolled into the Milwaukee area Thursday night after a three year's absence. The Canadian Pacific holiday train had stops in Sturtevant and Caledonia.

The crowd cleared out, almost as fast as it arrived, smiling, after seeing the train that warms hearts on a cold Wisconsin night.

Magic in Sturtevant arrived on the side of a freight train, wishing happy holidays to all.

"What do you hope to see tonight? Um Santa," said five-year-old Aria Diaz.

For the young -- and the young at heart.

"I am 91, out here with my great grandkids. They're so great, aren't they super?" said Joanne Miller.

The weather, not bad, but a little blanket, gloves and hats of all kinds went a long way.

"Is that an elf's hat? Yes. Are you an official elf now? I have elf ears at my house so," said eight-year-old Zaveya Manning.

"I like the singing and they sang really good songs," said sixth grader Noah Corey.

And just like a fourth of July, these lights elicited heavy oohs and ahhs.

It's been three years since these tracks were adorned with yuletide beauty. Covid forced virtual visits in 2020 and 2021.

"Yes, I missed it last year," said John Amort.

"You see a lot of people come out and watch it. It's pretty cool," said eighth grader Nathan Corey.

"Is this your favorite time of year? Yes. Why? Because it's so jolly," said Manning.

Scheduled for 6:45 -- it arrived 45 minutes late -- but the crowd kept busy.

"We met some people from East Troy and chatted with them," said Dawn Wade, a return visitor.

"We kind of moved around, danced a bit, laughed, you know that's what it's all about, joy," said Cheryl Daly, a return visitor.

Tonight's arrival raised money and food donations for pantries in Racine County.

"Providing food for the homeless. Yes, we like to bring food out to the food bank and it's a beautiful train," said Lisa and David Gourdoux.

If you didn't get out to Sturtevant or Caledonia Thursday night, no worries. The holiday train will be in Wauwatosa, Watertown, Oconomowoc and Hartland Friday -- and it has stops on Saturday in La Crosse and the Wisconsin Dells.