WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?
We are organizing to save the railway line running south of Espanola,
Ontario. There are several reasons for this, all of them of considerable
note. First, it is important to preserve and protect as much of the region's
history and tradition as possible. Then there are future generations to
think of when a rail line might once again be required to carry materials
to and from this part of northeastern Ontario, and we believe tearing up
tracks to be at best short-sighted and at worst "foreclosing" on the region's
future economic prospects. Perhaps most
immediate is the concern for the current state of the region's economy.
If the tourist potential of the region is to be fully realized, the
eventual development of a rail operation to carry tourists is necessary,
bringing with it jobs and customers for area businesses.
WHY NOW?
Although there is no hard news, there is every reason to believe that
the Canadian Pacific Railway, |
owner of the trackage south of Espanola, sees
no current or immediate future use for it and will want to completely abandon
the line, taking up rail and bridges, daylighting culverts, salvaging
ties
and selling off the right of way and "station" properties. It is important
for everyone to understand that they CAN do this, supposing no other
business or level of government agrees to take over the line. Should this
happen it will clearly be almost impossible to restore railway operations
no matter the reason unless massive amounts of money are spent. If
the line can be "saved" with the rail infrastructure intact, future costs
can be minimized. If specific use can be made of the line, such as for
some variation of a tourist train, the track can be not only maintained
but slowly upgraded.
CAN THIS SUCCEED?
Certainly, if it is run properly! Most people are aware of more
than three decades of successful operation of the Agawa Canyon Tour Train
by the Algoma Central |
and Wisconsin Central. Beginning in the
summer of 1998, with financial aid from the province, the
Timber Train, a purely tourist venture, was operated between Mattawa,
ON and Temiscaming, QC and from all accounts was tremendously successful.
The route south of Espanola offers scenery at least as good as that found
north of Sault Ste. Marie and along the Ottawa River; this natural resource
should be used for the advantage of everyone in the region.
WHO HELPS?
For real success, there is a great need for many individuals,
companies and the several levels of government to work together. At first,
most of the individuals must be strictly unpaid volunteers with interested
businesses and government supplying both advice and good will. At some
point - and that will be soon, if the idea catches on - funding must be
acquired to carry on. It is hoped that some variation of a public-private
partnership will work here. |
