The Train
Travelling nearly 140 km between Quebec City and La Malbaie along 85 km of incomparable riverside scenery, the Charlevoix Touring Train offers a singular rail cruise experience along mountains and seashore...
Presentation
As passengers enjoy rare exposure to breathtaking vistas, during their journey they discover the region’s history, its culture and hidden treasures while dining on a gastronomic menu fragrant with the flavours of Charlevoix’s terroir.
Rail cruise operations will commence September 9 2011.
Advocating material re-use, the train consists entirely of restored cars transformed into genuine panoramic vehicles that place travellers before the beauty of the landscape, heightening their awareness of this rich natural environment and its preservation.
The Experience in a few Words: Beyond Travel
Culture and History placed Centre Stage.
As the rail cruise and nature gently unfurl, time and again outdoor elements meld into the auditory and visual experience of passengers as they fall into synergy with the passing landscape.
As the journey and seasons advance, the four railcars accommodating up to 272 passengers offer specific car configurations, installations, textures and decors tailored to meet group and corporate requests.
With regular departures throughout September and October then during winter 2011-2012, above all else the touring train features a totally reinvented rail cruise experience, complete with assorted alternatives and packages, and private charters on demand.
As travellers climb aboard, their rail experience is enhanced with both cultural and historical details, shared in intimate spaces and areas specifically designed for an unequalled sensory adventure.
During the trip, they sample local products and the gastronomic savoir-faire for which the Charlevoix is renowned.
Riding the Charlevoix Rails Again
In January 2009, Groupe Le Massif acquired Chemin de fer de Charlevoix, a section of track between Québec City and Clermont, destined for putting into service its train, its rail shuttle and freight trains serving the region. Le Massif de Charlevoix’s team and its partners are currently focused on line rehabilitation for increased load capacity, safety, comfort and speed.
History
It all started on August 10 1889, when a Québec City/Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré rail corridor was opened. Property of Québec Railway, this 'electric' line - longtime known as the Good Sainte-Anne Line - was often packed with the faithful travelling to and from pilgrimages at the Basilica.
In 1904, businessman and politician Sir Rodolphe Forget dreamt of a rail line travelling along the St. Lawrence River shoreline, all the way to Pointe-au-Pic where good year, bad year, hundreds of wealthy American vacationers went to enjoy the much celebrated Manoir Richelieu. Work commenced in 1909, and ended the first of July 1919, date when the first train entered the La Malbaie railway station.
Along the coastline between river and mountains, the Québec City-La Malbaie Railway Line was quickly considered the most impressive in Canada, with its unparalleled views, twin tunnels and nine hundred bridges and culverts.
In 1945, with thirty-three trains per day, a record was set on the line with over 2,500,000 passengers riding the rails.
In 1952, the line was purchased by Canadian National, and passenger transportation continued until 1959, when the automobile and the development of roadways combined to force an interruption of service.
1984 was a long awaited date, marking the return of a destination train connecting Québec City to La Malbaie. Known as Le Tortillard, this train's life was short-lived due to administrative problems. Between 1995 and 1996 service resumed briefly, when CN sold the entire line to the Québec Railway Corporation.
Since, the Québec City-La Malbaie corridor has only been used for the shipment of freight.
In April 2009, Groupe Le Massif acquired the line and immediately set into motion major line rehabilitation work totalling $18,416 million dollars. Objective: Putting a Québec City/La Malbaie touring train into service by Fall 2011, paired with a Baie-Saint-Paul/Petite-Rivière-Saint-François rail shuttle by Spring 2012.
Get ready: It will soon be time to ride the rails again!
Fact Sheet
- A 140 km shoreline rail cruise between Quebec City and La Malbaie;
- Two RS-18 locomotives;
- Four Pullman Standard railcars, refurbished to fully expose travellers to the beauty of the landscape*;
- Overal capacity: Up to 272 passengers*;
- Design team: Morelli Designers and Groupe Le Massif;
- Operated by: Train touristique de Charlevoix, a subsidiairy of Groupe Le Massif;
On-Board Services & Activities
- Gastronomic dining and bar;
- Corporate and association packages;
- Business meeting and convention packages.
Infrastructures & Installations
Five railway stations:
- Parc de la Chute-Montmorency (SEPAQ);
- Gare Grande-Pointe, in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François (base of the mountain);
- Gare du Quai, in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François;
- Gare de la Ferme, in Baie-Saint-Paul;
- Gare de Pointe-au-Pic, in La Malbaie.
Two ticket offices:
- At the base of The Mountain, in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François;
- On The Farm, in Baie-Saint-Paul.
- Arrivals and departures from Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, and Quai de Pointe-au-Pic in La Malbaie.
A few months before departure…
Work continues in preparation for The Train's inaugural voyage scheduled for September 9 2011.
Railcar refurbishment is now complete and interior design started in December 2010 is ongoing.
The C.R.O.I. team is proceeding with the installation of the train's first kitchens, as well as with other structures such as support beams. Paintwork on the exterior of the cars was completed over the past few weeks.
As well, the railway line rehabilitation project is also on the point of completion.
