THUNDER BAY -- Chants of "train, train,train" rose from the silhouettes of children pumping their fists as the CP Holiday Train's floodlight finally led its concert on rails into the CPR Station an hour behind schedule.
If there was any weariness in the crowd of hundreds, it rose like heat in the night when the wall of a train car dropped to reveal Canadian rock band, The Odds.
Country star Dallas Smith soon joined them on stage as they performed originals and seasonal carols together.
Soup and hot chocolate cups streaming out of a Salvation Army van kept some warm while others danced. Almost no one left early, despite the late start.
"We had a mechanical issue but we're very appreciative people waited around," said CP spokesman Andy Cummings.
"We do our very best to keep on time but the patience people exhibited here in them coming out and being an enthusiastic crowd, donating and supporting their neighbours, we're very pleased with that."
The railroad cut a check worth $13,000 for the Regional Food Distribution Association of Northwestern Ontario, which it presented on stage to RFDA executive director Volker Kromm.
"Without you, this can't be done," Kromm told the crowd to cheers.
"Thirteen thousand dollars, 13,000 people being served a month. Thank you."
Inside the train station, RFDA volunteers took canned goods from concert-goers, taking aim at reaching their target of a ton of food on their way to their target of a ton of food again this year.
"A ton of food is a ton of food," said RFDA community services manager, Brendan Carlin.
"December is our biggest month of the year as it is but it's a great way to kick off the Christmas and holiday season and get out in front of people and get them thinking about hunger -- and about the RFDA as well."
