| The AER Heritage Group is an association of individuals
and organizations interested in the preservation and continued use of the
last major remaining segment of the Algoma Eastern Railway, the line running
south from Espanola, Ontario to Turner on the other side of the North Channel
from Little Current.. This line was purchased in late 1988 by Genessee Rail One from the Canadian Pacific Railway. Formerly known as the Little Current Sub, it is now called
the Little Current Spur. Genessee Rail One have been proceeding with the paperwork necessary to abandon the line so that they can use the rail for relay throughout their system.
The Little Current Spur interchanges at Espanola with the former McKerrow subdivision of the CPR, now operated by Genessee Rail One as an independent short line, the Huron Central Railway. The Little Current Spur has seen no traffic for almost five years. Most of the sidings and switches have been removed, along with the yard tracks at Turner and the last couple of miles of track due to realignments of Highway 6, however the main line is still in place and looked in the summer of 1997 to still be in relatively good shape. The AER Heritage Group believes that this line should be refurbished for use by a tourist train to run from Espanola to Little Current. The fully developed concept is much more than a locomotive pulling a few cars through what is arguably some of the prettiest scenery in Northern Ontario. There are a number of possible intermediate "educational" stops along the line. These might include such attractions as the forestry and pulp & paper tours currently provided by Domtar in Espanola and mining and geology exhibits in the Whitefish Falls area. Around Birch Island or McGregor Bay there is an opportunity to present information concerning Northern Ontario's First Nations. Farther south on Goat Island there is the possibility of a wildlife preserve. These additional attractions make this an ideal project to enhance tourism in the area. This train together with the Algoma Central's Agawa Canyon run, the Mattawa "Timber Train" and the mueum at Capreol could turn North-eastern Ontario into a rail fan Mecca. This tourist train would provide tremendous economic benefits to the towns, villages, businesses and people along the line. A tourist attraction such as this one will significantly increase the number of tourists drawn to the area, much as the Agawa Canyon run has done for Sault Ste Marie, or the Durango & Silverton Railroad run has done for Durango, Colorado. At the very least, the opportunity to provide Northern Ontario students with educational exposure to the history, geography, people and industry of the North should be reason enough to consider this project in a positive light. The AER Heritage group mailing list as of the Fall of 1999 consists of over 100 individual members. The group was founded in late 1998 by Dale Wilson, well known Sudbury railroad author, John Morgan and Mike LeHoux a councillor in the Town of Espanola. Dale is the author of the only published history of the Algoma Eastern Railway and is a past president of Transport 2000 Ontario. He brings to the group a wealth of knowledge concerning railroad abandonments and government indifference. Although currently living in Southern Ontario, John Morgan is a former resident of Sudbury. He is currently a member of the Prince Edward County Preservation Society, a group which is actively trying to undo the effects of one such short-sighted abandonment. He first became interested in the Algoma Eastern in the nineteen seventies and on hearing of its possible abandonment decided to see if something could be done to save it. For the last five years, Mike LeHoux has been a "lone voice in the wilderness" trying to drum up interest in the tourist train concept in the Espanola area. At this time, getting you name on the AER Heritage Group mailing list is free. Getting on the mailing list will entitle you to receive a synopsis of activities of the AERHG in a short bulletin when the regular newsletter is produced. To receive the full newsletter you must now join the AERHG. Memebership rates entitle you to a year's worth of our somewhat irregularly produced newsletter which is now four pages. In addition, you will be contributing financially to the preservation of an important part of Northern Ontario's history. Membership rates are as follows: Regular Indiviual Membership: $25.00 per yearWe hope to attract not only people interested in seeing the line preserved, for whatever reason, but we are actively seeking those who are willing to participate in our efforts to save the line. If you are interested in joining the AER Heritage Group, please send an email indicating your desire to morcomp@intranet.ca |