Holiday Train rolls through Downriver, keeping spirits bright

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An annual Christmas tradition passed through Allen Park Thursday night.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday train rolled through Metro Detroit as it travels across the country. The train has been running since 1999. Since then, it has raised $13 million Canadian dollars and four million pounds of food for North American food banks.

If you wanted to get into the holiday spirit this was the place to be. It only takes a few minutes for the train to pass by - but if you ask the folks who were there, it's worth it.

"As the train comes by on the Wabash line I’ll video tape it as it goes by," said Dawson Wolf.

Wolf, 14, from Lake Orion picked the perfect location, waiting hours to catch a glimpse.

"To see people put a lot of effort and time to decorate the train for people around the country to celebrate the holidays and they put lights on it which is really cool for kids and families to see and celebrate the holidays," Wolf said.

The festive locomotive travels from Canada through most of North America - but the 1,000-foot holiday train decked out in thousands of led lights brings more than holiday spirit. Many locations collect donations to fill local food banks.

Families lined up behind Thunderbowl Lanes, hoping to share this Christmas tradition - or perhaps create one of their own.