After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the CP Holiday Train is hitting the rails once again.

The 2020 and 2021 events were held virtually with donations accepted online, but is returning to an in-person format this year.

The festive freight, which helps collect donations and raise money for local food banks along its route, will be making a stop in Chatham on December 1st on the tracks behind the Holiday Inn and Bradley Convention Centre parking lot on Richmond Street.

The train is expected to arrive at 2:30 that afternoon with a half-hour show getting underway at 2:45.

Performers on board this year include country artists Lindsay Ell & Texas Hill.

Donations raised at the event support Outreach for Hunger.

At the last in-person event in 2019, CP Rail made a $4500 donation to the food bank, with close to 6000 pounds of food collected to support those in need over the holiday season.