The holidays will come rumbling into town once again in the form of a Canadian Pacific train.

At 6:30 p.m., on Monday, Dec. 9 the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will make a stop in Austin with all the bells and whistles people remember from two years ago when it made its last stop.

The train will be pulling in alongside 550 11th Street NE with Willy Porter and the Claytones providing the night’s entertainment, live from a fold-down stage located in one of the cars.

But the brightly colored train, decked out in hundreds of thousands of lights, and entertainment is only part of the event. A big part of the Holiday Train is fighting hunger.

“The goal is to raise as much food, money and awareness as possible,” said Andy Cummings, advisor and media relations for Canadian Pacific.”

Fundamentally, the Holiday Train is throwing focus on the work the local food banks are doing,” he continued. “That’s key.”

In Austin, the support will go to the Salvation Army and its food shelf. According to Lt. David Amick of the Salvation Army, the Austin effort in connection to the Holiday Train could have multiple facets.

“It could be three-fold,” Amick said of the help the Salvation Army could receive. “We’ll set up our truck and people can bring food so our food shelf will be increased. Canadian Pacific will also donate $1,000 to the food shelf. And what we’re also planning on doing is setting up a kettle.”

While hunger is the driving force of the Holiday Train, it’s hard to overlook the train itself. People attending the event certainly won’t miss it as it rolls into Austin.

“It’s a pretty beautiful train,” Cummings said. “These are live performances. It’s a great family event.”

“I think it gives the town of Austin the chance to se something different,” Amick said. “With all the shopping needs, it gives [people] a chance to take a little break.”

 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

When: 6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9

Where: 550 11th St. NE

Who’s playing: Willy Porter, The Claytones