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Train de Charlevoix

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Train de Charlevoix
The train seen crossing the river downstream of Montmorency Falls
LocaleCharlevoix & Capitale-Nationale regions of Quebec
TerminusMontmorency Falls
La Malbaie
Commercial operations
Built byQuebec, Montmorency and Charlevoix Railway
Original gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Owned byLe Massif de Charlevoix
Operated byLe Massif de Charlevoix
Preserved gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Preservation history
2008Track renovation; Start of tourist operation
2024Closed
2025Line reopened
Website
Official website
Route map
Legend
 La Malbaie
Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive
Baie-Saint-Paul
Petite-Rivière-Saint-François
Le Massif / Club Med
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Chute-Montmorency (Quebec City)
This diagram:

The Train de Charlevoix is a tourist rail service between Quebec City (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]

The service ceased operations in December 2024.[2] In Summer 2025, Groupe Voyages Québec, will act as the exclusive distributor of all Charlevoix train packages and from June 13 to November 2, the tour operator will offer a departure per day at 8 a.m. from the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, near Quebec City.[3]

History

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Grand Trunk & Canadian National Railways

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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.[4] By 1931, the service was extended to Montreal. At this time, only freight would continue to Clermont.[5] By 1944, the extra train operated during summer months was dropped from the schedule, resulting in a once-daily schedule year round.[6] In February 1971, Canadian National extended service to Clermont.[7]

Via Rail

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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.[8] VIA Rail cancelled the train by the end of 1977.[9]

Current tourist railway

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Work on starting the train began in September 2008, when renovation of Charlevoix Railway trackage began, partially funded by grants from the federal and provincial governments, and with a total cost of C$18.4 million.[10][11] In April 2010, work began on rebuilding eight railcars at a cost of close to $5 million;[12] 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][12] The refurbished rolling stock is now in storage, with the current rolling stock being two married pairs of DB Class 628.1,[13] with a third added in 2018 for increased service.[14] 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.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Charlevoix Ski Train Ready to Roll". First Tracks!! Online. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  2. ^ https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2127973/fin-train-arret-tourisme-manque-financement
  3. ^ ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Économie- (8 May 2025). "Le train de Charlevoix renaît de ses cendres". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  4. ^ Canadian National Railways: Local Timetables. Canadian National Railways. 20 May 1928. p. 33.
  5. ^ Grand Trunk Railway System, Canadian National Railways System Timetable. Montreal: Grand Trunk Railway. 28 June 1931. pp. 53–54.
  6. ^ Canadian National Railways in Connection with Grand Trunk Railway System Timetable. Montreal: Canadian National Railways. 26 November 1944. p. 27.
  7. ^ Canadian National Railways Grand Trunk Western system time table. Montreal: Canadian National. 1 February 1971. p. 7.
  8. ^ VIA CN/CP Rail System Timetable. Montreal: Canadian National Railways. 31 October 1976. p. 3.
  9. ^ VIA System Timetable. Montreal: Via Rail. 24 April 1977. p. 12.
  10. ^ "GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND QUEBEC INVEST IN FUTURE OF CHARLEVOIX TOURIST TRAIN". Le Massif. 26 November 2009. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Summary of investments" (PDF). Le Massif. 26 November 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  12. ^ a b "Renovations begin on rail cars for new Charlevoix Ski Train". The Ski Channel. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  13. ^ "Histoires de train". Archived from the original on 2016-09-05. Retrieved 2016-09-04.
  14. ^ "Un troisième train s'ajoute au Train de Charlevoix". Radio-Canada. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC Canada. September 11, 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  15. ^ D'Amboise, Charles (February 10, 2019). "Club Med : le train de Charlevoix roulera en hiver". ICI Quebec. CBC News. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
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