The 17th year of the Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train program saw tremendous crowds, generous donations and big smiles as it etched its way across Canada and the northern U.S.

With results continuing to roll in, the 2015 edition of the CP Holiday Train is on track to raise more than $1.4 million and more than 300,000 lb. of food for food banks and food shelves, CP announced. Since its start in 1999, the CP Holiday Train has now helped to raise more than $12 million (Canadian) and 3.9 million lb. of food for local food banks.

This year saw record crowds in many communities and estimated overall attendance of 450,000 people over the 23 days.

"The Holiday Train is all about neighbors helping neighbors, and this year saw remarkable support for this important cause," CP chief executive officer E. Hunter Harrison said. "Each year, we are humbled by the good work local food banks do in helping those in need in their communities. We are proud that we can help them deliver on that mission."

The Holiday Train's social media following, which now boasts more than 150,000 followers, was once again lively with thousands of event attendees sharing photos of how they captured the spirit.

To continue to support the Holiday Train and receive updates for next year's program, visit the train's presences Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For additional information, photos, route map and downloadable pictures of the two trains, visit www.cpr.ca/holiday-train

CP's annual Holiday Train program is a rolling fundraising event that travels across Canada and the U.S. raising money, food and awareness for food banks and hunger issues, hosting free holiday concerts along the way. Each Holiday Train is about 1,000 ft. in length with 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED lights and a modified boxcar that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers.