mlehmanMaybe a cabin could be found along the Algoma Central? That would very very cool and provide a very modest amount of railfun.
I did a brief search for cabins that might have a view of the Algoma Central but unfortunately I couldn't find anything. The area is very sparsely populated and there are few roads into the interior.
We used to camp at Agawa Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park. The Algoma Central track was just a few miles to the east. Back then you could drive into a tiny one room whistle stop station in the bush and be picked up by the train to go into the Agawa Canyon and back. I think the station has been closed down. The road into it was really bad!
There are some good railfanning sites along Lake Superior. One of the best is at Neys Provincial Park. The Canadian Pacific track travels through a very tight 'S' curve on a significant grade. The locomotives have to work really hard, and the wheel screech is deafening. The track can be viewed from within the park. We camped there once, and every time a train went through I would hop on my son's bike and hightail it down to the viewing point by the river. There are a couple of other good viewing sites on the way into the park as well. The unprotected grade crossing is scary because it is on a curve and you can hardly see down the track because of the dense bush.
The park is beautiful, and it has a very interesting history. It was used as a WWII prisoner of war camp for Nazi officers. The area was so remote that the camp didn't have fences. The mosquitos and black flies in the bush were enough to keep the prisoners in place. One poor fellow attempted to skate out in the winter using blades he had made from a steel bed frame. He made it to the nearest town which was quite an accomplisment given that it wasn't near at all. Unfortunately for him the local constabulary had been warned that he might show up, and he was killed while they tried to take him into custody. I think I have my facts right on the incident. Its been a while since we were there.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Oh! Dave—
You're stirring the wanderlust in me and THAT is against forum rules
I made this trip in 1973, by private car no less, well—with one caveat. I had to work as the steward. Ha! Minor point... I loved it and I'm ready to do it again!
Yes, the coach rate is reasonable BUT the sleeper does have it's benefits...
http://trn.trains.com/photos-videos/railroads/2015/03/making-a-prestige-class-bed
...and I'll bet she speaks French, Mon Chéri
Enjoy,
Ed
hon30critterNo rail fanning, but very relaxing!
Maybe a cabin could be found along the Algoma Central? That would very very cool and provide a very modest amount of railfun.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Mike:
You are right. The quoted price is for Economy Class coach. I did a little more looking and the price for a Prestige Cabin for two is a little under $5000.00 Cdn each way incl. taxes.
By comparison, a cottage in Northern Ontario for 7 days would be $1500.00 to $4000.00 ($4 grand would get you a pretty swanky place). No rail fanning, but very relaxing!
Dave,
$415 Toronto-Vancouver is a heck of a bargain. I assume that's coach, but I could do it -- if only I could figure out a way to make it to the end points and back economically. That should inspire a few people to "get on the train."
The historic 'Canadian' is alive and well. I'm not sure if this will violate the forum rules, but this might be of interest to some of you:
http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Canada-Train-Trip-43050908?ref=yfp