EDC to encourage year round use of tour train

City Council has passed a resolution authorizing the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to work with CN in examining every opportunity to operate the Agawa Canyon Tour Train on a year round basis.

The resolution, passed at Council’s regular meeting Monday, comes in the wake of CN’s November 19 announcement that it was terminating operation of the Agawa Canyon Snow Train.

CN stated despite its best efforts, Snow Train passenger numbers have stagnated at approximately 1500 per season, and that it would focus only on continued operation of its successful summer and fall Agawa Canyon trips. 

The Snow Train ran for six Saturdays each winter.

The CN announcement caused frustration for officials with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the EDC.

The EDC has stated that CN’s decision to cancel the Snow Train violates the spirit of an agreement between itself, CN and the Ontario government’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

CN does not agree, and a November 25 conference call between the company and Tourism SSM did not change CN’s view. 

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Debbie Amaroso told Council that CN had informed her Monday that it has no intention of reviving the Snow Train.

Notwithstanding, the EDC feels that after working with CN and the province to obtain and invest $11.2 million for much-needed Tour Train upgrades, time is needed for the Snow Train operation to grow.

The 1500 passengers who used the Snow Train represented a $500,000 economic impact for the community.  

Tourism SSM Director Ian McMillan told Council Monday that opportunities exist for the Tour Train to operate year round.

It should be noted that cancellation of the Snow Train does not affect passenger and cargo train service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst.