Panther340 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 The train that leaves the Sault and goes north is still on very shakey ground, . A successful service provider won the RFP that CN and the City put out last Fall , but it is still contigent on Federal Government money that has not ben confirmed as of deadline April 1 2015. See article attached, the Service provider that wants to do the service does mention the need to increase baggage cars so he can increase Snowmachine tourism potential. Of note: Before anyone questions why Federal or Provincial Government would subsidize, ask yourself why they subsidize Go Train or Toronto Transit etc etc....... http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/details.asp?c=88741 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverick Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 The train that leaves the Sault and goes north is still on very shakey ground, . A successful service provider won the RFP that CN and the City put out last Fall , but it is still contigent on Federal Government money that has not ben confirmed as of deadline April 1 2015. See article attached, the Service provider that wants to do the service does mention the need to increase baggage cars so he can increase Snowmachine tourism potential. Of note: Before anyone questions why Federal or Provincial Government would subsidize, ask yourself why they subsidize Go Train or Toronto Transit etc etc....... http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/details.asp?c=88741 why do they subsidize GO and TTC ? because millions of people use it everyday to get to work, school and play. I still hope the keep the Sault train too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grover_yyz Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 It's too bad about the rail service. I was hoping to take the tour but the trails from Chapleau being closed all year made it next to impossible to take the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Sled Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 It's too bad about the rail service. I was hoping to take the tour but the trails from Chapleau being closed all year made it next to impossible to take the trip. I guess if it loses way too much money and that is largely due to little use of the service there are some problems in justifying keeping it open. Is that keeping it running in general or just the winter months. It would be a shame to see it stop. It is on my bucket list to take the canyon ride in winter and summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte1214 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I've done the Canyon in the Fall, and it's spectacular! Really beautiful scenery. I'd like to get on the Snow Train, but never seem to quite seal the deal.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Sled Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I've done the Canyon in the Fall, and it's spectacular! Really beautiful scenery. I'd like to get on the Snow Train, but never seem to quite seal the deal.... I contemplated the Snow Train for this winter then February happened and all the nice people here were reporting -35 temps during the day and other wonderful enticements... cold is one thing.... brutal cold is another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panther340 Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Same provider would do Canyon tour , they go hand in hand (at least according RFP scope available) This issue also relates to closure of road access by MNR of more and more of Northern Ontario ( see posts Groomer Guy made on that) Because many cottages along this route are having less and less ways to get there. I deally would not be permanent subsidy (2 million per year I think for next three years is all that is being asked or thereabouts...........to keep access to more than 40 townships so thousands and thousands of acres of land Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Sled Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Same provider would do Canyon tour , they go hand in hand (at least according RFP scope available) This issue also relates to closure of road access by MNR of more and more of Northern Ontario ( see posts Groomer Guy made on that) Because many cottages along this route are having less and less ways to get there. I deally would not be permanent subsidy (2 million per year I think for next three years is all that is being asked or thereabouts...........to keep access to more than 40 townships so thousands and thousands of acres of land so realistically how many people are using the train per year? That is the question. Then you look at the subsidy per capita and other variables for cost / benefit analysis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt17 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I don't know all the details but currently CN runs the ACR passenger service (I am assuming at least at a break even proposition) through a 2 million dollar per year subsidy. In return it was estimated by an accounting study conducted I think by BDO that by offering the service the ACR led to 40-50 million dollars in economic activity in the corridor. This seems like a pretty good return on investment. Even just the taxes on what is spent at the rail access camps and the income taxes that the camp employees would pay would go a long way to repaying the government's investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Yarek Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Forget everything else I like a beer and cigarette in the same picture. 3 cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildbill Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 apparently they got the funding today .......... or is it a cruel april fools joke ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt17 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 They got the funding. Old agreement expired at midnight last night, funding was announced at 10 pm. Cut it a little close. Be interesting to see how the transition goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Techdenis007 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Matt, you're in a good position to know, being Hornepayne is 90% rail town and 10% tourism .... train goes thru your back yard just about ... Good news for you guys, and anyone else on that stretch of track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faceman Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 A little bit of hope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildbill Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Great to hear we rode that train once and really enjoyed it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panther340 Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Here are some of the plans the new operators hopes to include. Bodes well for snowmachine tourism. http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/details.asp?c=89140 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revrnd Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 http://wawa-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22310:government-addresses-crisis-they-created-with-acr-solution-hughes&catid=122:editorials&Itemid=157 Hopefully w/ the lower dollar, they can lure the American tourists back. Mind you the passport/border crossing "issues" are a PITA. Good news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucking Pig Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 http://wawa-news.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22310:government-addresses-crisis-they-created-with-acr-solution-hughes&catid=122:editorials&Itemid=157 Hopefully w/ the lower dollar, they can lure the American tourists back. Mind you the passport/border crossing "issues" are a PITA. Good news. From my understanding, it is more the US Homeland Security that is the issue, not the Canadian Border Service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revrnd Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Y From my understanding, it is more the US Homeland Security that is the issue, not the Canadian Border Service. You need a passport or enhanced DL to enter/re-enter the US. A smaller percentage of Americans have passports than Canadians. As a result these Americans can't leave the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grover_yyz Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 I was reading on the Michigan Snowmobile association web site that there are over 380,000 snowmobilers in the state. That is 380,000 possible visitors to Ontario trails and the train. And to add to another topic linking D16 trails;OFSC can offer more trails to those in Northern Michigan and a longer riding season. Any avid snowmobile in the US would see the value in having a passport so they can travel on our amazing trails. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sledjunk Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 I heard last night on CTV from the Sault that the passenger train from the Sault to Hearst will be stopped July 15. Apparently, there are still some irons in the fire but it didn't sound too hopeful. Maybe someone more local can fill in any details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viperules700 Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 I heard last night on CTV from the Sault that the passenger train from the Sault to Hearst will be stopped July 15. Apparently, there are still some irons in the fire but it didn't sound too hopeful. Maybe someone more local can fill in any details. I heard one service was stopping and another company was taking it over and offering cargo space for sleds in the winter and atv's in summer. Did that not go thru? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildbill Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I heard one service was stopping and another company was taking it over and offering cargo space for sleds in the winter and atv's in summer. Did that not go thru? looks like they took the money and ran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viperules700 Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 looks like they took the money and ran That is sad for the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revrnd Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 On a railfan page it sounds like Railmark (a company w/ a poor track record) that was selected by CN to operate the passenger trains, couldn't get financing. Apparently the canyon tour train will continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.