You are invited to ride a train on Earth Day

The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) is inviting area residents, media and politicians to take an earth-friendly trip starting this Earth Day.

The three-day adventure by train begins on April 22 and CAPT members hope passengers will come to experience and understand the value of passenger rail.

"We feel the timing is right to put trains back on the agenda," says Linda Savory-Gordon, associate professor, Community Economic and Social Development Program, Algoma University College.

Savory-Gordon is shown at a media conference yesterday with Al Errington, a tourist outfitter and CAPT organizer.

She says that issues of global warming and a search for more sustainable methods of transportation make trains a hot topic.

"We're the only country not re-investing in trains and we've got the best assets," she says.

CAPT and many others along the tracks want to showcase those tourism, cultural and entrepeneurial assets and to point out areas that could use some improvements, such as neglected infrastructure.

So they have organized a journey of discovery.

The full release from CAPT follows:

************************** All aboard: Support and discover Ontario's wilderness trains April 22-24

(Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) – The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) and the Community Economic and Social Development Program (CESD) at Algoma U are pleased to announce a three-day adventure by train through Ontario's northern wilderness from Sault Ste. Marie to Toronto, with overnight stays in Hearst and Cochrane.

This joint event will showcase Northern Ontario's wilderness passenger and tour trains and the vital importance of public investment in rail service as infrastructure.

On Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2007, the All Aboard: Support & Discover Ontario's Wilderness Trains event will depart from the Algoma Central Railway station in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Participants will enjoy lunch, entertainment, educational and cultural presentations on-board the train, along with a Franco-Ontarian Banquet in Hearst.

Presentations will be given by communities along the line about the importance of preserving and enhancing passenger and tour train services.

Town Hall meetings will take place in Hearst and Cochrane to meet other communities, tourism operators and other businesses that use the train service.

In Toronto, participants are welcome to join CAPT in meetings to discuss the future of passenger trains in the North.

"This is a great opportunity for people to get on board the ACR and ONR to experience the North by rail, and at the same time express the need to support the railway as infrastructure for economic development – particularly as a remote tourism corridor," states Linda Savory-Gordon, Associate Professor, Community Economic and Social Program, Algoma University College.

The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains is a regional based group of individuals, businesses and other interests who recognize the significant social, economic, cultural, historical and environmental value of Algoma's passenger and tour trains.

More information about CAPT and the All Aboard event can be found at www.captrains.ca.

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