Does anyone have any tips on taking the Algoma Central and Ontario Northland from Sault Ste Marie ON to Toronto? What is the Algoma like? Do you get to see the Canyon from it, or it is much better to do the tourist train round trip from Sault Ste Marie? What can a tourist do about bringing food on the Algoma Central? What is the food situation like on the ON? What about luggage and seats--is there a place for luggage? are the seats comfortable? Are trains air conditioned in summer? Are they usually very late? Finally, what is it like to stop in Hearst and catch that very early bus to Cochrane for the Northlander south? Are there usually a few people doing it? Any motels you recommend? What about eating when you get to Hearst?
Do you advise this trip, or do you think bus to Sudbury and VIA Rail east is better?
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
I've ridden the Algoma Central Canyon train. It is air-conditioned and food is available onboard. The regular train is more rudimentary but I believe there is no problem bringing your own provisions.
I would probably lean toward the canyon train roundtrip from Sioux Ste. Marie, however, because the layovers in connecting to VIA from the AC can be very long and there are limited facilities at the interchange points..... in fact, in one case I believe that there is nothing but a platform. No shelter, no restroom, no food or beverage.
That's about all the help I can give you, I'm afraid. No familiarity with the ONR at all.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
Thanks for the info, David. Sounds like I should forget about VIARAIL, but taking the regular train to the ON involves just one night in Hearst and a very early morning bus to Cochrane, where one catches the ON to Toronto. Hearst has motels. I wanted to hear from anyone who has done this and what they recommend, including whether the regular Algoma train has enough scenery of the Agawa (sp?) Canyon or if the canyon train is better in that regard.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
I'm not so sure the ON (Ontario Northland) goes all the way to Toronto -- I believe it stops at Washago, doesn't it?
Posted by ghCBNS (Member # 3093) on :
quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: I'm not so sure the ON (Ontario Northland) goes all the way to Toronto -- I believe it stops at Washago, doesn't it?
The Northlander runs between Cochrane and Toronto. South of North Bay it is on CN for 200 miles before reaching Toronto.
It does stop at the Washago Station (shared with VIA's Canadian)
We have included lots of photos to show what the trip is like. I suggest taking the northbound trip from Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst, overnight there then the bus to Cochrane where you can catch the ONR. Tip: In summer you can ride the tour train to the canyon, then the local to Hearst. This allows time to relax and enjoy the lovely canyon on foot. Also the tour train has a dining car. Bring food for the local as it has no food or beverage for sale but you can take your own. Both trains have a/c and are very comfortable. The story linked above lists a motel at Hearst that is right beside where the train stops in Hearst. Do NOT consider the VIA train connections as there are NO stations or even platforms at the points where they cross the Algoma Central. There is a long wait, no motels or stores in those towns from what I saw. While you could make a same day connection at Cochrane (bus to train), I suggest spending a night at the hotel at the Cochrane depot just to relax between long days. If you can spend 2 nights there, the ONR train to Moosonee is an interesting trip. Here's a story about the ONR trip to Toronto:
Let us know what you decide to do.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
I'm planning an Agawa Canyon trip in early August, driving six hours to the Soo from the other end of the Upper Peninsula. TripAdvisor's reviews are all over the map, but I suspect that many of the negative ones may have been posted by non-railfan families with very small children. Eight hours in a train chugging through thick boreal forest isn't for everybody.
Posted by chrisg (Member # 2488) on :
Here are two different trip stories dealing with this topic for you.
I have edited my above post as it didn't link correctly before.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
Thank you all so much for the very useful info and links. Hopefully, we are going to take the Agawa Canyon north, then the Algoma Central the rest of the way to Hearst, overnighting there before catching early bus to Cochrane and Northlander to Toronto. I have two questions for anyone who might know:
1. What is it like on the Agawa Canyon when you stop to see the Canyon--is there a lot of difficult climbing to see the sights?
2. What do you advise we do regarding our luggage? Bags will be small--one small suitcase, one overnight bag (will use one for some food!) each. Should we give the suitcases and the overnight bag without the food to the folks in Sault Ste Marie to put on the Algoma Central train we are catching later at the Canyon and be reunited with the suitcases there, or should we take everything onto the Agawa Canyon train and take it off and leave it in the canyon station while we roam around before the Algoma Central train shows up?
Posted by SilverStar092 (Member # 2652) on :
Sojourner: The Canyon is a very peaceful place to spend a couple of hours. There is no station per se, but there is a cabin used by the Canyon Train crew during the layover. They allow passengers making the connection to put their luggage inside during the layover. We did that with our ice chest and a couple small items we wanted along but checked our suitcases which at Sault Ste. Marie...they were in the baggage car on the local to Hearst. We carried along food and beverages for dinner on the way to Hearst but ate in the dining car on the Canyon Train for breakfast and got take out box lunches to enjoy at the Canyon. It all was very smooth. Trails in the Canyon vary from fairly strenous climbing to the top of an overlook to fairly easy trails to waterfalls. There are flat trails along the river not far from the tracks and lots of nice picnic tables in the park. You will enjoy it. All train cars are very comfortable.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
Thanks so much for the info, Silver Star; it does sound pretty easy to do. About how far ahead do you suggest we book the train, since I know the Canyon train can get busy, but the booking is nonrefundable? Also, was your train to Hearst very late? (I am hoping to have a late dinner when we get there)
Did you catch the 5AM bus from Hearst to Cochrane? If so, can we expect to find others doing that too?
Posted by SilverStar092 (Member # 2652) on :
Hey Sojourner....I would call Algoma Central and ask how far ahead to book for the particular day you plan to travel...they can tell whether it looks busy. We went in late June and it was not anywhere near capacity. The train to Hearst was about 45 minutes late. I took some food to hold me over then had dinner at the motel (see my story for where we stayed)...the restaurant was pretty good. We actually didn't take the early bus but saw some other railfans who did. I believe the bus stop was just 2 or 3 blocks from the motel. In Cocharne it stops right at the train depot.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
I haven't been able to get answers from either the Agawa Canyon train people or CN, the railroad's owner, about on-board accommodations for people with disabilities. Anyone know if, for example, the railroad provides printed scripts of the on-board GPS-driven audio narration for the hearing impaired?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Well, Ms. Sojourner, how about beating the drums for a Soo-Pacific.
This was a seasonal Chi-Vancouver train that survived until the early '60's and was routed over the SOO through Portal ND, thence Canadian Pacific to Vancouver. Off-season, the train was comprised of through cars handled from Mpls to Winnipeg on The Winnipeger thence interchanged there with the secondary CP train, The Dominion.
Somewhat more pragmatic would be a return of the Winnipeg Limited over the GN or the Winnipeger over the SOO from Mpls and a connection with The Canadian at Winnipeg. Then you wouldn't have to ride "those icky busses" - especially the 62hr trip Mr. Twin Star noted at another topic!!!
Posted by SilverStar092 (Member # 2652) on :
Hello Sojourner...Looks like this thread was detoured for some unknown reason. Getting back on topic, do you have any more questions or did my above replies answer everything? I'm sure you will have a great time. Are you getting to Sault St. Marie, MI by Amtrak bus then hopping a cab to the Canadian side? That's the easy way to do this. When are you planning to go?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Silver Star, you have a point. However Ms. Sojourner chose to title her topic Midwestern Canadian trains, and since she is always dreaming up new routes for trains, my immediate comments appeared fair game.
Had the topic been titled something to the effect of "US Connections to Algoma Central", my posting would have been quite out of line and be assured would have never been made.
Incidentially, during the early 50's, A.C. Kalmbach (before he "lost it" to Parkinsons) took some kind of trip from New York to Chicago that used the Algoma Central and was reported in TRAINS. Possibly I should start digging (Mr. Haithcoat, who also has a complete set, might choose to do so as well). While I have not been about to run out and buy the DVD version of TRAINS, VI#1 onward, it may have a keyword search feature.
Posted by ghCBNS (Member # 3093) on :
Here a link to the refurbished Agawa Canyon Tour Train.....just unvailed on June 15.
Until a couple of years ago, this equipment operated on the Colorado Ski Train. It was originally built for CN in 1968, went to VIA and even operated in joint service with Amtrak on the International.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
Update: CN Marketing finally got back to me and sent me the 75-page script for the GPS-triggered on-board audio. So I definitely will be driving over from the western U.P. to the Soo in mid-July to take the refurbished Agawa Canyon tour train. Full report to come.
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
I have to say that is very impressive PR/ customer relations service...
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
Press relations, actually. But the operation says it will provide the same script to any deaf/hearing impaired person who asks.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
So glad all worked out for you Henry. I'm going about a month later, and yes, Silver Star, I am taking an Indian Trails bus to the Mackinaw City area, where we are also stopping for a couple of days. We may continue on the bus to SSM but it's very late so we may take a taxi instead, price isn't too bad if sharing.
One can actually take a public bus across from the Michigan to Ontario parts of Sault Ste Marie (except on Sunday), too, so we might do that, it's cheaper. Will see.
Will compare notes when I get back!
Posted by SilverStar092 (Member # 2652) on :
I hope you have a great trip! On the train to the canyon, sit on the right hand side as the curved trestle is on that side. Beyond there either side is fine and you can move around the local train as not too crowded.