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LOCOMOTIVES AND RAILCARS READY FOR GRAND DEPARTURE

Charlevoix, August 2011 – At the end of a two-year process involving ideation, creation and transformation, over recent days Groupe Le Massif’s refurbishment program has reached completion the railcars and locomotives now poised to convey passengers between Québec City and La Malbaie on the Train of Le Massif de Charlevoix, starting this September 9.

Exclusive by design, the convoy embodies originality and authenticity while privileging exchange and conviviality. A contemporary yet timeless signature is its distinguishing feature. Between now and December, eight dove grey railcars inscribed with poetic texts that beckon travellers and echo the Charlevoix’s cultural heritage will be coupled to their charcoal grey locomotive. The graphic layout chosen for these lines and writings lends the Train a modern, inviting air.

Designed along an architectural approach that embraces flexibility and an open-concept treatment, the convoy resembles a mobile structure more than a train. “Our team and those at Morelli Designers and Centre de Réalisation d’Outils Innovateurs (CROI) constantly stretched the technical boundaries while abiding by railway regulations, in an effort to retain freedom of design,” mentions Frédéric Sujobert, Director of Guest Experience at Groupe Le Massif. A journey fraught with engineering challenges led this multidisciplinary team based in three different locations – the Saguenay, Québec City and Montreal – to break away from convention, as work progressed on the Train and its vocation in tourism.

Tiny Tale of a Mega Makeover
Built by the St-Louis Car Company in 1955 and 1956, the Lot 6978 Pullman Standard railcars were originally acquired by the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. At the time, they were the railway company’s very first high-capacity double-decker railcars. With their steel structure and second level, they transported 169 passengers at maximum capacity. Over time, the railcars underwent several restorations including a major overhaul in 1961, with others between 1981 and 1994 of a more general nature. Before being sold to Groupe Le Massif, they had been operated by Union Pacific Railroad and put into service for the City of Chicago.

The Train and Its Components…
The Train of Le Massif de Charlevoix’s total rolling stock comprises two 1800 hp RS-18 locomotives, two power cars that double as baggage cars, and eight Pullman Standard railcars. The mechanical and aesthetic refurbishment programme wraps up shortly ushers in  in a complete makeover of the majority of the railcars to be put into service in the weeks to come. Each railcar is equipped with a kitchen designed to serve approximately 70 lunches and gastronomic dinners.. In all, 27 Fall departures, have been scheduled, from September 9 to October 16.

Le Massif de Charlevoix
Le Massif de Charlevoix is a tourism and recreation destination that unfurls across three environments in the Charlevoix: the Mountain, Hôtel La Ferme lodging complex and the Train. Beyond the ski area, the destination is poised to feature a full range of experiences in tourism from Québec City to La Malbaie, and Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to Baie-Saint-Paul, by way of a touring train and a diversified lodging offer – of which a 150-room hotel complex.

View and download high-resolution images from our Gallery.