We were in the area and decided to take the Agawa Canyon Tour on the Algoma Central Railway. The train begins in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, proceeds north to Agawa Canyon 114 miles and returns in a 10 hour trip (8 AM to 6 PM). The train consisted of 5 Coaches, 1 part Coach part store, 1 Diner (506 aka Silver Pheasant) and two F40PH (one on either end). Most of these are from the Denver Ski Train and the Ski Train logo can be seen on the sides of most of the consist. The coaches are in good shape and the air conditioning works on all. The diner is a traditional long kitchen diner and the part Coach has a little area set aside for the on-train store.
The train rumbles 25-40 mph from the depot in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario leaving at 8 AM sharp each day. After passing thru the Algoma Central's yard and some edge of town it enters the wilderness. Track rises from 600 feet above sea level to 1600 feet above sea level in the first 93 miles and then drops into the canyon at 114 miles and about 1100 feet above sea level. The scenery is nice but most of it for the first 40 miles is trees close to the tracks. Most of the streams and views are fleeting at best until the last few miles of the trip. Fog is a problem in the summer and we experienced limited visibility of the hill tops fro about milepost 32 to 35 where there was supposed to be a ski area. We saw the ski area later in the afternoon on the way back down the hill.
At Agawa Canyon the train stops for 2 hours for riders to hike the hills, shop in the souvenir car and eat lunch.
Pros: Picnic area is expansive and scenic. On-board announcements and reading material is excellent. Diner is efficient and staff is great. Train is comfortable and clean.
Cons: A long ride for little folks. Had a group next to us with 6 and 8 year olds and "I'm bored" happened after 1 hour. They had little interest in the trip past that. Very little wild life this time of year. Leaves cover most of the views. Delay to get across the bridge to the Canada or the U. S. varies from 45 minutes to 2 hours (for one bored guy to ask us where we are going) this is clearly an attempt by the border folks to get more money. There were unmanned booths on both sides.
If you are in the area ride this train. Also don't miss the Sault Ste. Marie City Museum. I highly recommend this with the above reservations.
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Thanks for the report. I took the ride years ago when it was genuine Algoma Central GPs (GP38s?) and smooth side passenger cars, including a duplex diner that might have been original SP equipment. the passenger cars had the bear tracks logos on the sides. The morning was crisp and cool when we left and the last thing just before departure -- a small army of teenagers with wet soapy mops walked the entire length of the train and washed every window!
The initial part of the ride took us past a steel mill and yard that was very interesting. It wasn't long before we were far from any towns. Lots of waterfalls. Breakfast in the diner was excellent. We climbed up the hill for the clasic photo looking down on the valley and the train, and while we were in the canyon the train to Hearst went by. It had one of those steam heater cars that might have been built from a steam locomotive tender.
It was indeed a long ride. I do recall we were allowed or at least tolerated to take pictures out the dutch doors. I also recall the ties were treated to be slightly greenish in color. The next day we took the Soo locks tour which was also extremely interesting. This was way before 9/11 and border crossing issues were not a problem. The guy asked "do you have any firearms?" I said no. "Do you have any alcohol?" I said no. He said "Gee you're not going to have any fun in Canada, are you?' Ah for the day when jokes could be exchanged at borders and airports!
Back on the US side I found a Soo Line wood caboose waiting for its train.
My one regret is that this was a vacation trip not a railfan trip per se so I was shooting film, not slides.
Dave Nelson
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