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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preservation history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | Start of tourist operation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | Track renovation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Official website | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Train de Charlevoix is 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]
As of 2019 the train runs all year-round. [2]
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]
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]
Work on starting the train began in September 2008, when renovation of Charlevoix Railway trackage began, partially funded by grants from the national 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]