There was no snow on the ground when the Canadian Pacific Rail Holiday Train pulled into Anderson Station, but that didn’t damper the Christmas spirit.

The train, which has been travelling across Canada collecting donations for local food banks, pulled into Calgary slightly before 7 o’clock Saturday night, with Canadian music icons Alan Doyle and Colin James in tow.

Blues-rocker Colin James opened the show (I missed most of this set due to traffic, but it sounded excellent) prior to Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Band taking the stage.

Opening with “When I’m Up I Can’t Get Down,” Doyle had the crowd dancing and singing along with a mix of Great Big Sea standards and classic Christmas songs with a Celtic twist. The highlight was a lively cover of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” complete with a fiddle solo.

The train itself, lit up with flashing Christmas lights and Canada 150 emblems, was also something to behold, and a fitting celebration of Canada’s history and musical heritage.

The train will be continuing to travel Western Canada in the coming days. Visit http://www.cpr.ca/holiday-train/canada for future dates.

Performers: Alan Doyle and Colin James

Date: Sun. Dec. 9, 2017

Venue: CP Rail Holiday Train – Calgary  Stop (Anderson C-Train Station)