Final 2005 CPR Holiday Train numbers are in and they confirm support from Canadians and Americans was overwhelming as record amounts of food and money were raised in the fight against hunger.

Over a 16-day period - from December 2 to December 17 - two brightly decorated Holiday Trains visited 107 communities (69 in Canada/38 in the Northeast and Midwest U.S.) raising the following amounts for local food banks:

- More than $500,000 CDN ($515,331.60)
- 454,022 pounds (206 tons) of food

In 2004, $375,000 CDN and 363,000 pounds of food (165 tons) were donated by concerned Canadians and Americans. Since its launch in 1999, the Holiday Train program has raised more than $2.4 million CDN and 1,285,622 pounds of food (584 tons) for North American food banks.

All donations collected in a community remained in that community for distribution.

"The final donation totals confirm just how successful the 2005 CPR Holiday Train was in raising money, food and awareness for North American food bank programs" said CPR CEO, Rob Ritchie. "We would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of people in both countries who came out at each fundraising event to support their local food banks."

The 2005 CPR Holiday Train website also proved to be a successful resource for supporters of the program as more than 120,000 visits were registered - up from the 85,000 visits in 2004. In addition to more information on the Holiday Train, the special website featured an interactive Holiday Train Microsoft Train simulator, which gave users an opportunity to experience the 'train of lights' up close. As well, the revamped website featured a Holiday Train CD that brought even more emphasis on the fight against hunger. The CD, "In Harmony with Your Community - Music of the CPR Holiday Train - 2005" featured songs by Holiday Train performers and went Certified Canadian Gold.