Skip to content

Less service with no BYOB, but prices won't go up

Railmark Holdings, Inc. has renamed the Algoma Central Railway (ACR) passenger train just as the company is making final plans to take over operation of the service. The operation has been rebranded as the Algoma Star Passenger Train. B.

Railmark Holdings, Inc. has renamed the Algoma Central Railway (ACR) passenger train just as the company is making final plans to take over operation of the service.

The operation has been rebranded as the Algoma Star Passenger Train.

B. Allen Brown, president and CEO of Railmark, said the rebrand was a necessary step as the company moves forward with plans for the service.

He notes the ACR name is still owned by CN.

Brown is proposing a reduction in the schedule in traditionally slow periods to just one northbound and one southbound train per week.

“I didn’t say this was going to be easy. That’s the only pain we’re looking at is the cancellation of the Monday-Tuesday train. We’re not raising prices,” said Brown.

In peak months Brown suggests reducing scheduled trains from the current three per week each way to just two.

Brown said this will help the company cut costs and eventually lead to profitability if ridership numbers increase according to plan.

At the same time, Brown hopes to attract new riders by ramping up marketing efforts and will be launching a new website in the next few days.

Railmark has already set up a separate email address to handle the feedback and requests Brown has been fielding since announcing they were taking over the service last month.

“You have an idea or suggestion, I want to hear it,” he said.

Brown is open to creating a pass or similar such deal for people who commit to travelling multiple times per year.

He thinks this would appeal to camp owners along the line who travel less by train or by car because of the current cost of taking the train.

“It was always part of my plan to have some kind of pass.”

Brown said he is working on acquiring a liquor license for serving alcohol on the train, but suggests on-board staff will stop the current common practice of riders bring their own on board and drinking it.

"I can't have people bringing liquor on board and drinking it," said Brown.


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
Read more