GE Helps Canadian Pacific Railroad Drive Away Hunger; 2002 Holiday Train Supported by Five GE Businesses ERIE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2002--General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Canadian Pacific Railroad have partnered again this year to support the 2002 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train project, as two trains traverse Canada and the Northern United States.
This will be the Holiday Train's fourth goodwill journey - one that will stretch over 6,000 miles to raise money and collect food for local food banks across the U.S. and Canada. Bedecked in 12,000 festive lights provided by GE Lighting, a division of GE Consumer Products, the two holiday trains are pulled by GE Transportation Systems AC4400 CW locomotives. CPR currently owns and operates 321 of these 6 axle, high adhesion, 4400 horsepower locomotives. GE Corporate, GE Canada, GE Rail Services, and GE Transportation Systems have also provided monetary support and services towards the initiative. In addition to supporting the Holiday Train event, GE Lighting will provide the lights and ornaments for the National Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. for the 40th consecutive year.
The Holiday Train embarks on its incredible journey from Scranton, Pennsylvania on December 3. In Canada, the train departs from Ste. Therese on December 7. The two 1,000 ft trains visit 75 communities in the U.S. and Canada - staging special events to raise donations and support for the thousands who turn to food banks each month. Well-known musicians such as Randall Prescott, Tracey Brown, Patricia Conroy, and Bob and Clint Moffatt are scheduled to perform at locations along the way.
In Canada, the performers include Tom Jackson, Beverley Mahood, Amanda Stott and Duane Steele. The Holiday Train is able to turn over all proceeds to more than 285 food banks in Canada and the U.S. Since its inception, it has raised more than 73 tons of food and nearly $540,000 U.S. ($900,000 Cdn) for food banks. The Holiday Train may be coming to a community near you! Anyone planning on checking it out is urged to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation. A complete schedule of events may be found by visiting http://www.cpr.ca/go/holidaytrain.
Learn more about GE at http://www.ge.com/.
Editors: For use in Sidebar or graphic
Fast Facts You Didn't Know About the Holiday Train:
Number of Good will Journeys: 4
Number of light bulbs: 12,000
Length of Holiday Train: 1,000 ft each
Locomotive Length: 73 ft., 2 in. each
Locomotive Weight: 420,000 lbs each
Height: 15 ft., 5. in
Width: 9ft., 5 in.
Maximum Speed: 75 mph
Fuel Capacity: 4,750 usable U.S. gallons each
--30--slb/cl*
CONTACT: GE Transportation Systems
Jeff DeMarrais, 814/875-3457
or
Canadian Pacific Railroad
Mark Seland, Cell: 403/540-7178