Chicago Illinois USA - The long wait is over.
 
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will once again pass through the area.
 
Fans of the train expressed their disappointment over the cancellation of the train for the last two Christmas seasons, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The train enters southeast Michigan after leaving Windsor traveling through the state on its way to Chicago and points further west.
 
One of the biggest gathering places is a vacant lot next to Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park.
 
Since 2015, that had been the location of a food drive that coincided with the train's passing, an event that also included musical entertainment and activities for children.
 
Organized by Conan Brooks, president and CEO of Lincoln Park-based Advanced Approach Videos, for health reasons he wasn't able to put on the event in 2019, the last time it came through the area.
 
Unfortunately, that's going to be the case again in 2022, but Brooks is still requesting that people give to local food banks.
 
"There will not be a food drive as the train passes through, due to an injury I had back in 2019. It makes it difficult for me to lead such a task. I would encourage train watchers to honor the meaning of the Holiday Train by donating food to Fish & Loaves or other local food pantries," Brooks said.
 
The Holiday Train will roll down the tracks on the evening of 1 Dec 2022 going through a portion of Melvindale, Allen Park, Taylor, and Romulus.
 
At the 2019 event, Brooks estimated that approximately 500 people braved the cold to wait for hours, just for a glimpse of the train as it passed.
 
Brooks said the patient crowd cheered with excitement as they were dazzled by the train that lit up the tracks.
 
"The train became more magical, like a Christmas train under your tree, for a moment when the stage car played Christmas music as the train rolled along," he said after the 2019 passing.
 
"The most fascinating, beautiful train in the world carried on its mission to raise food and money for food banks and pantries across the U.S. and Canada."
 
Since there isn't an official program in the Detroit area, it's hard to say exactly when the train will pass through Allen Park.
 
A show taking place in Windsor is expected to wrap up at 18:30, so Brooks estimates that it should pass Thunderbowl Lanes between 20:00 and 21:00.
 
"There is no guarantee on time, and there is no guarantee the lights will be on, although they have claimed that before, they were left on."
 
He encourages anyone who plans to attend to remain cautious around railroad tracks, as there will be freight trains running that night and they could come from any direction, at any time.
 
"Stay at least 50 feet away from the tracks, as there can be loose chains or strapping from rail equipment. Also, use care around railroad crossings and not park around railroad crossings to not obstruct the view of trains approaching the crossing, and to prevent potential damage to your vehicle," he said.
 
Jim Kasuba.