Train de Charlevoix
| Train de Charlevoix | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 The train seen crossing the river downstream of Montmorency Falls | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Charlevoix & Capitale-Nationale regions of Quebec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terminus | Montmorency Falls La Malbaie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Built by | Quebec, Montmorency and Charlevoix Railway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preserved operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owned by | Le Massif de Charlevoix | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operated by | Le Massif de Charlevoix | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preserved gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Closed | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preservation history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Start of tourist operation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Track renovation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Official website | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Train de Charlevoix was a tourist rail service between Beauport (Chutes Montmorency) and La Malbaie, Quebec, with an additional stop in Baie-Saint-Paul and in the winter at the Le Massif ski area, a distance of about 140 kilometres (87 mi).[1] It is owned and operated by Le Massif de Charlevoix, which also owns the Le Massif ski area.[1]
The service ceased operations in December 2024.[2]
History
[edit]Grand Trunk & Canadian National Railways
[edit]As early as 1928, regular year-round passenger service operated once a day as far as La Malbaie (then referred to as Murray Bay). A seasonal second train per day service operated from June to September from Quebec City.[3] By 1931, the service was extended to Montreal. At this time, only freight would continue to Clermont.[4] By 1944, the extra train operated during summer months was dropped from the schedule, resulting in a once-daily schedule year round.[5] In February 1971, Canadian National extended service to Clermont.[6]
Via Rail
[edit]In 1977, Via Rail took over operation of most Canadian National and Canadian Pacific passenger services. By this time, Gare du Palais was closed for renovations, and Ste-Foy became the origin of all trains on the route, with a stop at Limoilou near the core of Quebec City. VIA Rail began operating the service daily with Budd Rail Diesel Cars.[7] VIA Rail cancelled the train by the end of 1977.[8]
Current tourist railway
[edit]Work on starting the train began in September 2008, when renovation of Charlevoix Railway trackage began, partially funded by grants from the federal and provincial governments, and with a total cost of C$18.4 million.[9][10] In April 2010, work began on rebuilding eight railcars at a cost of close to $5 million;[11] the cars were originally built in 1955 and 1956 by the St Louis Car Company and were previously used in commuter rail service in Chicago.[1] Once refitted, the eight cars had a total capacity of 550 people, and along with two MLW RS-18 locomotives comprise the rolling stock used for the train.[1][11] The refurbished rolling stock is now in storage, with the current rolling stock being two married pairs of DB Class 628.1,[12] with a third added in 2018 for increased service.[13] In early 2019, it was announced that the train would begin operating during the winter months in partnership with a new Club Med location opening at the ski hill.[14]
List of stations
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Charlevoix Ski Train Ready to Roll". First Tracks!! Online. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.[dead link]
- ^ https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2127973/fin-train-arret-tourisme-manque-financement
- ^ Canadian National Railways: Local Timetables. Canadian National Railways. 20 May 1928. p. 33.
- ^ Grand Trunk Railway System, Canadian National Railways System Timetable. Montreal: Grand Trunk Railway. 28 June 1931. pp. 53–54.
- ^ Canadian National Railways in Connection with Grand Trunk Railway System Timetable. Montreal: Canadian National Railways. 26 November 1944. p. 27.
- ^ Canadian National Railways Grand Trunk Western system time table. Montreal: Canadian National. 1 February 1971. p. 7.
- ^ VIA CN/CP Rail System Timetable. Montreal: Canadian National Railways. 31 October 1976. p. 3.
- ^ VIA System Timetable. Montreal: Via Rail. 24 April 1977. p. 12.
- ^ "GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND QUEBEC INVEST IN FUTURE OF CHARLEVOIX TOURIST TRAIN". Le Massif. 26 November 2009. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Summary of investments" (PDF). Le Massif. 26 November 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ a b "Renovations begin on rail cars for new Charlevoix Ski Train". The Ski Channel. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Histoires de train". Archived from the original on 2016-09-05. Retrieved 2016-09-04.
- ^ "Un troisième train s'ajoute au Train de Charlevoix". Radio-Canada. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC Canada. September 11, 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ D'Amboise, Charles (February 10, 2019). "Club Med : le train de Charlevoix roulera en hiver". ICI Quebec. CBC News. Retrieved 30 September 2019.