This train will stop in Kansas City as part of holiday tradition. Here’s when
A holiday tradition returns to Kansas City, this time with a different look.
After 23 years of lighting up communities, Rudy, CPKC’s Holiday Express train, has retired. The freight train company will still bring some Christmas cheer with its free-to-visit Holiday Train, visiting Kansas City at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 at Union Station.
The new look for the Kansas City-based railway network’s Holiday Train comes during CPKC’s 27th year running the program. There will be a light-up mural featuring the old train as part of the lighting design of the new train.
The 2025 CPKC Holiday Train tours the United States and Canada from now through Dec. 21, supporting food banks at every stop. Musical acts join them, playing free concerts from the train’s holiday-decorated stage.
“Every year, our railroaders take great pride in bringing the Holiday Train across our network, this year reaching even more communities for the first time,” said CPKC President Keith Creel in a statement. “We are thrilled to send this beautiful train filled with lights and music to spread the joy of the season and proud to support the giving spirit of the holidays assisting people experiencing food insecurity.”
In Kansas City, 90s ska-influenced California rock band Smash Mouth and Canadian rock singer JJ Wilde will perform.
The CPKC Holiday Train leaves at approximately 6:45 p.m., then it’ll head to its next stop at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, in Pittsburg, Kansas, a two-hour drive south of Kansas City.
It’s one of two trains running this holiday season, so CPKC can visit as many communities as possible, according to its website.
CPKC Holiday Train visit details
Here’s what a typical visit looks like, according to CPKC’s website:
- The train arrives and pulls to a safe stop in front of the crowd.
- The stage door lowers and the musical guests open with their first songs.
- A brief presentation follows with local food bank officials and others on stage.
- The performers resume the show with a mix of Christmas songs and their original works.
- After the last song, the door closes and the train moves on to the next stop.
