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Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains, Phases I and II

Last Updated on May 21st, 2009
 

Project Title: Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains, Phases I and II

Project Number: CL5-03-NO

Term of Project: 2006/07 to 2009

Status: Phase I - Completed ; Phase II - In Progress

Academic Researchers:

Student Researcher, Phase I:

Student Researchers, Phase II:

Community Researchers, Phase I:

Community Partner:

Project Summary:

Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) is a regionally-based group of individuals, businesses, and other interests who recognize the significant social, economic, employment, cultural, historical, and environmental value of Algoma’s Wilderness Passenger and Tour Trains. The organization is dedicated to preserving and enhancing remote passenger train service in the District of Algoma, Ontario, Canada. For more information about the project and related documentation, see the project website at www.captrains.ca.

Specific Project-Level Research Objectives:

Expected Deliverables:

  1. Influence Policy
  2. Increased awareness of the importance of the train
  3. Meetings with stakeholders
  4. Opportunities / pre-feasibility study
  5. Website
  6. Report

Findings:

CAPT has grown steadily since it’s inception in the spring of 2006. Activities have included town-hall meetings, which have attracted a broad spectrum of interests — tourism operators, camp owners, train employees, municipal representation, artists, and members of two First Nations communities — the development of a website, a letter-writing campaign, and numerous meetings with municipal and regional government representatives. Media coverage has been excellent. Some specific outcomes include:

  • Held a major media event called “ALL ABOARD”, a spectacular three-day train ride through northern Ontario’s wilderness from Sault Ste. Marie to Toronto, with presentations from communities along the line and overnight stays in Hearst and Cochrane; the event showcased northern Ontario’s wilderness passenger and tour trains and the vital importance of public investment in rail service as infrastructure.
  • Secured funding for an operational plan and economic impact study for passenger train services; the comprehensive study determined that there is potential for the ACR line to be successfully revitalized, with the rapidly growing wilderness tourism industry. The study confirmed that a revamped wilderness rail corridor could have economic benefits in terms of new jobs, wealth creation, increased tax revenues, and quality of life.
  • Presented opportunity study results to town-hall meeetings
  • Developed a strategic plan
  • Twenty-one municipalities passed resolutions supporting the work
  • Build relationships among the Anglophone, Francophone, and First Nations communities who worked on the project

Next steps include:

  • Meetings with stakeholders in smaller communities and First Nations along the rail corridor to build concensus on how to move forward
  • Continuing advocacy with various levels of government to promote renewed investment in rail service

Project Poster: (Poster pdf)

Final Report: Final Report (pdf) | Opportunity Study prepared for the CAPT Project by Malone Given Parsons Ltd (pdf)

Projected Expenditures: $65,000

In-Kind Contributions:

Publicity:

This project has received a great deal of publicity through the press.  All press coverage is documented on their website.

Dissemination Activities:

  • Town Hall Meetings (3) and a Policy Meeting, “Opportunities for Rail Corridor Tourism” (2007).
  • Conference: Savory-Gordon, L. & Ortiz, J. (2007, May) Community Resilience and Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains. Symposium conducted at the Bio Eco Socio Conference, Hearst, ON. (Audience: community developers, forestry industry workers, and community members)

Additional Notes: Photos and video for this project are plentiful and can be found at the project’s website: http://www.captrains.ca.